How David Coulthard responded when asked if Max Verstappen would beat prime Ayrton Senna

Follow us on Google Discover

Max Verstappen is gunning for what would be his finest Formula 1 title yet. With five in a row, he would also match the all-time Formula 1 record.

Verstappen was 104 points behind Oscar Piastri after the Dutch GP in late August, which led him to cast doubt on whether Red Bull would win another race in 2025. But heading into the Mexico City Grand Prix this weekend, he has narrowed the gap to 40.

An increasing number of people in F1 are starting to view Verstappen as the favourite, which in itself is a marker of his fearsome reputation. This could be the greatest comeback in F1 history.

A fifth championship would take Verstappen level with Juan Manuel Fangio for third place on the all-time list. And, in a similar vein, it would significantly boost his standing in the F1 ‘GOAT’ discussion.

David Coulthard agrees with Max Verstappen – Ayrton Senna ‘was the best driver’

During an appearance at the F1 fan zone in Austin, which was recorded for the F1 Explains podcast, David Coulthard and Mika Hakkinen were asked whether Verstappen would beat the best version of Ayrton Senna in the same car.

Senna ‘only’ won three titles during his career, but the consensus is that he would have won more had he been able to complete it. He lost his life in a crash at the 1994 San Marino GP.

The Brazilian is widely regarded as one of the most naturally gifted F1 drivers ever. Hakkinen, who raced alongside Senna three times in 1993, couldn’t choose between the two.

Verstappen includes Senna in his top five, but Coulthard has heard him call the McLaren legend ‘the best driver’ ever.

“It depends which car, of course,” said Hakkinen. “First of all, both of these drivers are very brave, extremely talented, mega fast, good team players. I think they would be equal!

Coulthard added: “It’s not my opinion, I’ve heard Max say that, for him, Senna was the best driver. I’ll go with the current world champion’s voice, which is Senna.”

Max Verstappen would break the ultimate record by winning 2025 title

Some at Red Bull feel Verstappen had a ‘dip’ earlier in the season. He lost some appetite for F1 as McLaren’s commanding advantage left him helpless.

That’s understandable, and the greats often come alive only \when they sense an opportunity to win. But perhaps that one percent loss of motivation midway through the year will cost him, particularly given how tight the title battle is forecast to be.

If he manages to pull it off, Verstappen would set one of F1’s greatest records by winning a third drivers’ title in a car that hasn’t won the constructors’. No driver has ever done this more than twice.

Some would argue that speaks to the struggles of his teammates, but it more likely highlights his superpowered ability to extract every ounce of performance from his package. Even in this age of F1, pure talent can still be decisive.