Lewis Hamilton’s Legacy in Threat as “Relaxed” Max Verstappen Compared With Old School F1 Legend

The 2023 Formula 1 season has officially kicked off! And as we get into what could be a record-breaking year for the sport, a few storylines beg to catch all of our attention. Can Lewis Hamilton bounce back after a disastrous 2022 by his standards? Can Max Verstappen keep his dominant streak alive? What about Aston Martin and Fernando Alonso? Nothing is guaranteed in this sport, however, from what we’ve witnessed in the past, we surely can make a few predictions. Irrespective of all the chatter going around in the paddock as is usual with the start of a new season, Verstappen comes into this year as a clear favorite. But what makes him a cut above the rest of the grid?

The debate over who is the GOAT of F1 is never-ending. That being said, it is no secret that for the majority of fans, Ayrton Senna would tick all the boxes. Even though he didn’t have the 7 titles that both Michael Schumacher and Hamilton can boast of, his career spoke for itself. We lost Senna too early to a tragic accident in 1994, but who is to know what he could’ve achieved with Williams if he would have survived Imola? What Senna could do in a car back in the day was unrivaled. And according to F1 stalwart Martin Brundle, what made Senna so good is exactly what sets Verstappen apart in the modern age of Grand Prix racing, and even threatens the legacy established by Hamilton.

The modern-age Ayrton Senna

Brundle was quoted by Fox Sports as saying, “Max could be one of the greatest of all time. I think he’s got the gift. Probably Senna had that touch, had that feel, the sixth sense for grip. I think Max has got that.”

Coming into 2023, Verstappen is in a much better place to continue his championship streak. “You can just see him relaxing. He relaxed so much after winning the first championship. And he’s got all the talent — he’s got talent to spare in the car, and now he’s just thinking of what’s going on around him,” explained the 63-year-old presenter.

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Verstappen has been placed amongst the likes of Senna and Schumacher in the past. But the 2x champion is just focused on carving a niche out for himself.

Max Verstappen is too busy to focus on comparison with F1 greats

When you are as blessed a driver as Max Verstappen, the comparisons with the legends of the past and the present are inevitable. For some, this is a matter of pride and motivation. But for the Dutch lion, his ambitions are more than just being part of a list.

“I don’t really think about where I am between all of the all-time greats in terms of championships or wins. I just want to do my job. Of course, I know I have a contract though 2028, so I want to try and win more with this team – more races and potentially championships,” said the 25-year-old told RACER.

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By the time Verstappen hangs up his racing helmet, do you think he would’ve surpassed the records set by the current benchmark, Lewis Hamilton?