Ex-Formula 1 driver sees no distinction between Max Verstappen and Michael Schumacher.
Max Verstappen is arguably the preeminent driver on the current Formula 1 grid, securing three consecutive F1 world titles through relentless consistency. Despite being four championships shy of matching the legendary Michael Schumacher, experts frequently draw comparisons between the two. Former F1 driver Christian Danner recently joined in the comparison, stating to Servus TV via F1 Maximmal, “If you look at Hamilton and at Mercedes, or at Schumacher at Ferrari, you see that the drivers there got exactly what they needed. I don’t just mean a fast car, but also a car that does exactly what they need. The absolute top drivers then have the talent to maximize that package. If you compare them, I don’t actually see any differences between Schumacher and Verstappen.”
Verstappen’s recent dominance in Formula 1 has been spectacular, with 34 wins out of 44 races in the last couple of campaigns. He achieved a record ten consecutive wins in 2023, breaking Sebastian Vettel’s decade-long record. With 55 race wins, Verstappen is third in the all-time list, trailing only Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher. He is also on par with Schumacher and one step away from matching Hamilton in terms of Grand Slams.
Christian Danner believes Max Verstappen surpasses Michael Schumacher due to better composure. Danner argues that the Dutchman is more thoughtful, while the seven-time world champion had a tendency to “explode” at times. Danner cites Schumacher’s clash with David Coulthard in the 1998 Belgian Grand Prix as an example of the latter’s fiery temperament. In contrast, despite Verstappen’s past incidents, he has exhibited improved composure since the 2021 season, especially during his title battle with Lewis Hamilton.
