Do you think Michael Schumacher can ever return to F1? Well, no, the 7-time World Champion is reportedly still in a coma following his 2013 ski accident. However, FIA steward Johnny Herbert believes Schumacher’s temperament still exists in the sport today because of another World Champion – Max Verstappen. According to the 60-year-old, he found remnants of the German F1 legend in Max when he collided with Lando Norris in Austria. Even though the Dutchman got a 10s penalty for the incident, Herbert reckons Michael Schumacher would have done exactly what he did at the Red Bull Ring last Sunday.

During his peak days in the mid-1990s and early 2000s, Michael Schumacher never shied away from bringing up the heat against his competitors. He collided with his Championship rivals Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve during the final races of two different seasons at the 1994 Australian Grand Prix, and the 1997 European Grand Prix respectively. With these incidents, Schumacher made sure it was his car that passed the chequered flag first to get the F1 title.

During the Austrian GP last weekend, Max Verstappen collided with his closest rival Lando Norris. As per Johnny Herbert, the contact was just how Michael Schumacher would have done it. He spoke to Coin Poker about this, explaining, “I can [see a young Schumacher in Max]. Look at Michael’s incidents with Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve for instance. He would do anything he could to benefit from a certain situation.” Johnny Herbert even brought up the topic of Max Verstappen’s father Jos, who had formerly partnered with Michael Schumacher during his Benetton days.

Herbert continued, “Jos, [Max’s] father, drove with Michael at Benetton and he would have seen first-hand how Michael operated. I can imagine him saying to Max in his younger days: ‘I want you to drive and intimidate everyone off the circuit effectively. You make sure that you win the race by being the toughest driver.’” And being the toughest racer on the track backfired on Max Verstappen when his contact with Lando’s McLaren sent him down the grid by four places.

However, the way the Dutch Lion intimidated Lando for attacking his lead shows he is hungry a fourth F1 Championship win. But why did Lando Norris feel it was too ‘desperate’ for Max Verstappen to behave that way?

Lando Norris calls out Max Verstappen’s ‘desperate’ defense in Austria

Max Verstappen had gotten off to a strong start from pole in Austria. But Lando Norris wanted to give his friend a chase as he continuously attacked the Dutchman for the lead. However, during lap 64, their Red Bull and McLaren cars came so close together that contact was inevitable. But the FIA ruled the incident was solely Max’s fault. Calling the 3-time Champion out for this, Lando said, “In a way it [Max’s driving] is just a bit reckless, it seemed like a little bit desperate from his side.”

While Max Verstappen incurred a penalty for the collision with Norris, the other racer did not walk away scot-free. Lando landed a 5s penalty for violating track limits while he was in hot pursuit of Max’s RB20. But the time penalty did not affect his results since the Belgian-British racer had to retire anyway. Still, his clash with Max Verstappen cost him dearly as he had to walk away with zero points at the Red Bull Ring.

It is no news that Max Verstappen and Lando Norris are close friends when they are not competing against each other. Norris was even spotted at the fifth birthday of Verstappen’s girlfriend’s daughter, Penelope Kvyat, last year. But now, the two are vying for the same World Champion, and this can affect their bond. Do you think their on-track competition will result in a Nico Rosberg-Lewis Hamilton-esque rivalry? Let us know in the comments below.