Max Verstappen is ‘best we’ve ever seen’ in F1 for one skill Lewis Hamilton doesn’t have

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Gerhard Berger says Max Verstappen is the ‘best we’ve ever seen’ in Formula 1 as the Red Bull driver boasts one key skill that Mercedes rival Lewis Hamilton always lacked.

The Austrian used to believe that Ayrton Senna was the greatest Formula 1 driver of all time having been the Brazilian’s teammate and rival. But Berger now thinks Verstappen sits above Senna – who had ‘supernatural’ talents – Michael Schumacher and Hamilton as the greatest.

Verstappen has convinced Berger to re-think his position on Senna being the greatest as the Dutchman has one skill that neither of his adversaries boasted. Berger believes the 26-year-old is ‘always’ perfect with his car placement, whilst thinking his way through any overtakes.

Gerhard Berger names Max Verstappen as Formula 1’s GOAT

Berger does not feel Senna, Schumacher or Hamilton had Verstappen’s overtaking talents in their dominant eras in F1. So, it is clear for the ex-Benetton, Ferrari and McLaren driver that Verstappen is already the greatest star Formula 1 has seen as he continues to break records.

“He thinks through where you can overtake and where you can’t,” Berger told Auto Motor und Sport. “Neither Senna, Schumacher nor Hamilton had this tool. It’s just noticeable that Max is always in the right place.

“At the start, in the first corner, in a duel. I can’t think of anything that could be done better than him. That’s why Max Verstappen is probably the best we’ve ever seen in Formula 1.”

Max Verstappen still has some way to go to match Lewis Hamilton’s stats

Verstappen produced a record-breaking campaign last year as the Red Bull product became a three-time drivers’ champion. The Hasselt, Belgium-born ace won 19 of the 22 Grand Prix en route to a record-setting 575 points to also register F1’s new record win per cent (86.3%).

He even now holds F1’s record for the longest win streak (10) and became the first driver to lead over 1,000 laps (1,003) in one season. While his 19 Grand Prix wins moved Verstappen (54) into third place, behind Hamilton (103) and Schumacher (91), for all-time race victories.

Verstappen has won 29% of his 185 F1 Grand Prix entries to date since 2015 – compared to Hamilton’s 31% from 332 since 2007. Schumacher won 29.5% of his 308 entries as the 55-year-old became the first seven-time F1 champion. Hamilton won his seventh title in 2020.

Hamilton also ranks first in Formula 1 for pole positions (104, 31%) to Schumacher (68, 22%) in second place, with Verstappen (32, 17%) only in seventh. While Hamilton (197, 59%) also tops F1’s podiums chart over Schumacher (155, 50%) with Verstappen (98, 53%) in seventh.