Having worked closely with Michael Schumacher and witnessed Max Verstappen’s rise, Schumacher’s former agent has identified the main distinction between the two multiple world champions. Schumacher, tied with Lewis Hamilton for the most championship titles in Formula 1, remains a benchmark Verstappen aims to reach. Currently, Verstappen needs three more world championships to join their elite status.
Verstappen draws motivation from Schumacher’s legacy, striving to match and possibly exceed the achievements of the legends before him. Like Schumacher’s influential takeover of Ferrari, which sparked the Italian team's most successful era, Verstappen has established himself as a leader within Red Bull Racing.
"The Dutchman has asserted himself as a leadership figure within the ranks of the Red Bull setup, akin to how Schumacher ‘took over’ Ferrari upon his arrival in Maranello and kicked off the most fruitful period that the Italian constructor had ever experienced."
Both Schumacher’s 2002 season and Verstappen’s 2023 campaign are regarded as two of F1’s greatest single-season achievements. Verstappen’s RB19 car has helped him break numerous records while securing a third consecutive world title.
"Schumacher’s 2002 season and Verstappen’s 2023 campaign are considered two of the greatest single-season performances in F1 history."
Author’s summary: Verstappen’s leadership and record-breaking performances reflect Schumacher’s influence while underscoring a notable generational shift in Formula 1 greatness.