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Michael Schumacher’s brother, Ralf Schumacher, has named the seven-time world champion’s ‘greatest strength’ as an F1 driver, something that he also sees in Red Bull star Max Verstappen.
Since joining the grid in 2015, Max Verstappen hasn’t been short of comparisons to Michael Schumacher in the past.
On his way to becoming a four-time world champion in the sport, Verstappen has shown various similarities to Schumacher, including the ability to make his voice heard in a racing team and make changes that will benefit on-track results.
The German legend’s former rival, Damon Hill, also previously noted another resemblance between the two world champions as he highlighted how the Red Bull star is immersed in racing, no matter the category or discipline, like Schumacher.
The latest to make the comparison is Ralf Schumacher, who raced against his older brother for all but just one year of his stint as an F1 driver.
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Ralf Schumacher names his brother’s ‘greatest strength’ in Max Verstappen comparison
In a recent episode of Backstage Boxengasse, Ralf Schumacher was asked for his opinion on what his brother’s ‘greatest strength’ as an F1 driver was during Michael’s highly successful career.
The former F1 driver said, “I always think it was his ability to perform under pressure and to always be faster than his teammates.
“To really get the best out of the car, to get the best out of the team. And to work together with the team towards a common goal. That’s what we often talk about.”
Schumacher then added how drivers on the current F1 grid stack up against the seven-time world champion, offering Verstappen as the closest equivalent of his brother’s prowess.
He added, “Max Verstappen has obviously managed to do that really well and has developed in that direction. Others just can’t do it as well.
“I don’t want to name names, because then we’ll have issues again. But I would say that this is certainly a very strong characteristic of these two.
“At least in terms of the atmosphere, you get the feeling at McLaren that there was a bit of friction between the two drivers and the team. But otherwise, they harmonise quite well with the team.”
- READ MORE: F1 fans think Max Verstappen is ‘overdoing it’ after hearing his latest comments on ‘stress’
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Ralf Schumacher agrees with Max Verstappen’s verdict on Kimi Antonelli’s rookie F1 season
In a recent interview, Verstappen shared the two 2025 rookies who have the most potential to achieve success in F1 in the future.
Those drivers were Kimi Antonelli and Gabriel Bortoleto. In reference to the Dutchman’s verdict, Schumacher offered his opinion on Antonelli’s maiden season in F1 with Mercedes.
He said, “Kimi certainly had the biggest task; one must also say that. He came into a top team, a world champion team. He sits next to George Russell, who was probably the best George of his life.
“Especially in this phase, where he had so much pressure. So he really delivered, the guy. And that he was so strong at the end, therefore, I would have said at the beginning, okay, he is now, as everyone expected, in the firm grip.
“He wasn’t at the beginning. But at least he has the opportunity, I believe, now, when you look at the last races, to develop there as well.
“And I must say, if he continues like this and also copes with the new concept, then it will be a huge task for Russell next year.”
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