Max Verstappen admits using ‘famous’ Ayrton Senna statement when he’s arguing with F1 stewards

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Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen will eventually finish his Formula 1 career as one of the greatest to ever take part in the sport.

Only three drivers in the history of Formula 1 have won more drivers’ championships than Max Verstappen.

To have achieved this feat at just 27 years old is extraordinary and highlights the unbelievable amount of talent that Red Bull’s star driver possesses.

Even this season, Verstappen left Oscar Piastri frustrated with an incredible move on the first lap of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix that eventually won him the race.

One of the trademarks of Verstappen’s successes is his ability to overtake.

He’s extremely aggressive, both in attack and defence, but it hasn’t always been smooth sailing for the Dutchman.

There was a point in the season when Verstappen was sitting on 11 penalty points, with many of those picked up for incidents involving Lando Norris.

Red Bull feared Verstappen could pick up a one-race ban, but his first lap collision at the Austrian Grand Prix allayed those fears as some of his points expired after that event.

That shouldn’t take away from Verstappen’s impressive ability to pull off moves so many other drivers wouldn’t even try.

Chris Harris believes there’s a similarity with Ayrton Senna, and the Dutchman very much agrees with one of his mantras.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Max Verstappen admits using Ayrton Senna mantra during steward meetings

Harris was interviewing Verstappen on the Ford Performance YouTube channel and asked: “OK, overtaking. I reckon you redefined the art of overtaking in Formula 1.

“At times, some people may not have liked it, but, Jesus, you were effective.

“How much of that is just down to your style and the way that you push? How much of it’s down to interpreting the rules? I bet you read the rulebook, don’t you?”

Verstappen replied: “Yeah, I think it’s a combination of things.

“Naturally, the way I grew up, the things that I practised from when I was a kid with my dad and my friends.

“I mean, even when I was like eight years old, I had my dad in a higher category, faster engine go-kart.

“And we would practice race starts, two-lap races, then reset. One time you start first, one time you start fifth or sixth, and we just kept on moving position on the grid.”

Harris then said: “There’s that famous quotation again, actually it’s Senna.

“If you see a gap and don’t go for it, you’re no longer a racing driver. A bit of me really does believe that.”

Verstappen admitted: “Sometimes you can still use that argument in the steward’s office as well!”

Harris asked: “Have you used those words?” to which Verstappen simply replied: “Of course!”

READ MORE: All to know about Ayrton Senna including Alain Prost rivalry and Imola crash

Gerhard Berger makes Ayrton Senna and Max Verstappen comparison

Unsurprisingly, Verstappen has gone through his career being compared to some of Formula 1’s greatest drivers.

He’s already reached the point where younger drivers are being compared to him, despite the fact that some of Formula 1’s elder statesmen are still 10 years older than him or more.

Gerhard Berger was Senna’s teammate during his time in F1, and has also worked with Verstappen during his short spell at Toro Rosso.

Berger believes Verstappen’s sim racing has made him a greater driver than Senna, which is a remarkable claim.

Technology has seriously moved on since Senna’s time in the sport, although it’s hard not to imagine him also being obsessed with being able to race outside of his time on track.

Verstappen has had his fair share of run-ins with Formula 1’s stewards over the years. It would be fascinating to know if Senna’s advice ever got him out of trouble.