A new legend is emerging in the world of Formula 1, something that’s putting all the narratives of the past to the test. The echoes of Michael Schumacher‘s dominance still resonate loudly in the halls of F1 history. His battles with Ayrton Senna (although they only went head to head in 3 full seasons) etched in the history of F1 lore, are the stuff of legend. But now, a young force named Max Verstappen is shaking the foundations. He is already sparking debates that question not just his supremacy over Senna but also how close he is to matching the brilliance of the German.

Max Verstappen has become a force to be reckoned with. His exceptional prowess on the track has propelled him into the League of Legends, drawing parallels with the likes of Schumacher and Senna. As Joan Villadelprat, a seasoned F1 figure with over 50 years of motorsports experience, points out, the Dutchman is remarkably close to Michael Schumacher in mentality and quality, making him the closest world champion to the German maestro.

Villadelprat asserts Verstappen is closer to Schumacher than one would think

Max Verstappen’s rise to prominence is not just about winning races. It’s a narrative of the influence and authority he has within his team. Something eerily reminiscent of Michael. Winning three championships in a row, the 26-year-old Red Bull driver’s relentless focus on and off the track invites a comparison that extends beyond mere statistics.

Joan Villadelprat, who has worked closely with multiple Formula 1 world champions in the past, has recently shed light on how Max Verstappen compares to some of the greatest drivers of the sport. “Very close to Schumacher,“ Joan told Diario AS when asked where he places Max with respect to other world champions. “Who has always been my great reference as a champion and with whom I worked hand in hand for quite some time. In their ambition, in their desire to destroy and leave nothing to others, they are quite similar.”

“Senna, for example, was pure natural talent. But physically he was not well prepared and came out of the car exhausted. Michael, on the other hand, was the forerunner of the meticulous physical preparation of the pilots and prepared much better. In my opinion, Max is the closest thing I’ve seen to Schumacher in terms of mentality and quality,“ he added.

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With comparisons between Max Verstappen and the past legends of the sport raging, it’s only fair to ask if the Dutchman himself takes inspiration from an era gone by.

Does Max Verstappen take his racing inspiration from past F1 legends?

The hunger to win, the meticulous preparation, and the relentless pursuit of excellence are what make Max Verstappen who he is. The numbers speak for themselves; he stands at an impressive 54 victories at the young age of 26. However, when asked about his inspirations, the Dutchman downplayed the influence of legendary figures like Schumacher.

“I appreciated everyone’s success. From my side, I was like, ‘I want to be there one day. I want to stand on the podium or win races.’ But I think everyone’s different, everyone has a different way [of] how you get to Formula 1 anyway. A different upbringing,“ Verstappen explained according to GP Blog.

Verstappen acknowledges the success of the greats but emphasizes individuality in his approach. “The success of some of the greats is amazing. You might get a little bit of inspiration from it. But I wouldn’t necessarily want to try and do it the same way if you know what I mean.“

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Is Max Verstappen, not just the present but also the future, challenging the very foundations of what it means to be an F1 legend? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.