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Max Verstappen has spent just over half the time that Michael Schumacher did in Formula 1, but the Red Bull star already stands next to him as one of the all-time greats.
Sitting third overall for wins and podiums behind Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton, Verstappen is just three titles away from equalling the duo’s record. Many have constantly made comparisons between the three in their F1 ‘GOAT’ debates.
It is not surprising to see the Red Bull driver compared to the Ferrari legend, given that the Verstappen family were incredibly close to the Schumachers. As he later told Blick, he knew the seven-time champion as ‘Uncle Michael’.
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The German had a huge influence on Verstappen’s career from a young age. Now a four-time champion with Red Bull, many have noticed the similarities between the two drivers.
Michael’s brother Ralf Schumacher says Verstappen has the same ‘greatest strength’, in that he can always perform under pressure and is faster than his teammates. Damon Hill thinks Verstappen is ‘perfect’ with his precision, just as the German and even Fernando Alonso shared.
Verstappen himself has also seen the similarities with Schumacher, and he is absolutely spot on with his comparison.
Max Verstappen says he is ‘completely focused’ on track like Michael Schumacher
Speaking with Blick, the Dutchman recalled his memories of Schumacher, in particular one of him in the pit lane with the then-Ferrari driver at the age of five.
“A lovely memory with pictures and videos,” said Verstappen. “Because my father Jos was Schumacher’s teammate at Benetton in 1994, the families knew each other for many years afterwards. We even spent a few holidays together. I knew him as Uncle Michael.”
Asked how he remembers Schumacher, Verstappen described how he was on and off the track: “He was a driver who worked tirelessly and gave his all. For him, only victory counted, no matter how it was achieved.”
He then shared how he compares to the German: “On the track, he was completely focused, just like me. But at home, he took care of his family and gave them the attention they deserved.”
When it comes to staying focused on track, Verstappen has nailed this comparison, and his 2025 season proves it beyond a doubt.
His resilience to come back from 104 points after his home race in Zandvoort to within two points of Lando Norris at the end of the year shows why he is an F1 legend, and why any comparison to Schumacher is justified.
READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend
Will Max Verstappen beat Michael Schumacher’s career records?
With his dominance in the ground-effect era and his exceptional talent, Verstappen looks almost certain to surpass, or at least come close to beating, Schumacher’s achievements.
In fact, he has already beaten some of them. Verstappen quietly broke Schumacher’s Ferrari podium record by finishing P2 with Red Bull in Canada.
When will Max Verstappen beat Michael Schumacher’s Formula 1 records?
The Dutchman is just 21 wins and 29 podiums away from usurping Schumacher, which can, in theory, be achieved in at least the next two years. But when it comes to world championships, Verstappen is not interested in winning seven.
Asked if there are parallels between him and Schumacher, he replied: “Yes, on the track and in my private life. But after more than 230 races, my goal is definitely not to chase seven world championship titles.
“For me, there is nothing more important than my family and my children. They are the motivation that you can only get within your own four walls.”
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