There are always going to be parallels drawn between the greatest drivers to race in Formula 1.
Lewis Hamilton has won more races than any other driver in F1, but it took him years to finally surpass the record set by the great Michael Schumacher.
Were it not for the ever-expanded F1 calendar, the German might still be the most successful racer in the sport’s 75-year history having won 91 Grand Prix.
The next driver on the list after Hamilton and Schumacher is Max Verstappen, with 64 wins and counting to his name.
| POS | DRIVER | GRAND PRIX WINS |
| 1 | Lewis Hamilton | 105 |
| 2 | Max Verstappen | 64 |
| 3 | Fernando Alonso | 32 |
| 4 | Charles Leclerc | 8 |
| 5 | Lando Norris | 5 |
| 6 | Carlos Sainz | 4 |
| 7 | Oscar Piastri | 4 |
| 8 | George Russell | 3 |
| 9 | Pierre Gasly | 1 |
| 10 | Esteban Ocon | 1 |
It’s a remarkable record for a driver who will turn 28 this season, and while Red Bull may no longer have the fastest car in the paddock this year, that’s not going to stop him from continuing to accumulate victories.
It’s not been a straightforward 12 months for team principal Christian Horner’s outfit, having already had to replace Liam Lawson with Yuki Tsunoda.
Verstappen made a crucial error in Saudi Arabia that potentially cost him victory when racing up against Oscar Piastri.
It potentially highlights the added pressure on the Dutchman, but once again, he’s proving that he’s more than capable of rising to the challenges he’s facing.
READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend
Max Verstappen setting up Red Bull the same way Michael Schumacher led Ferrari
Journalist Tom Clarkson was speaking on the F1 Nation Podcast in the build-up to the Miami Grand Prix.
Clarkson was speaking about Verstappen’s influence at Red Bull and explained: “He is the glue that’s keeping that whole outfit together.
“You just walk into the Red Bull hospitality area. If he’s there, there is an energy about the place. He’s the driving force. I really believe he is.
“Teams are set up around Max in the way they were around Michael Schumacher.
“I see so many parallels between Schumacher and Max Verstappen.
“And I’ve said it before, I’m going to say it again now, but I do think if or when Max Verstappen leaves Red Bull, it’s going to have a similar effect on that team as when Michael left Benetton in the mid-90s.
“It’ll take the team a while to rebuild because it is such a massive hole to fill.”
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about F1 legend Michael Schumacher from net worth to career stats
Max Verstappen taking inspiration from Michael Schmacher’s driving style
Verstappen has suggested on multiple occasions that he’s not interested in spending another decade racing in Formula 1.
However, that’s exactly what Fernando Alonso was saying at his age, and he’s still going strong at 43 years old for Aston Martin.
If he does decide to continue in F1 for even another five years, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Verstappen surpass Schumacher’s win tally if he’s given the right car.
| Grand Prix starts | 306 |
| Pole positions | 68 |
| Wins | 91 |
| Podiums | 155 |
| Fastest laps | 77 |
| Career points | 1566 |
| World championships | 7 |
Verstappen’s driving style is reminiscent of Schumacher when he was at his peak, doing everything in his power to win races.
While the Dutchman is yet to be disqualified from an entire season, it’ll be interesting to see just how aggressive he becomes in his battles with Piastri and Lando Norris if another title is on the line.
Away from the track, Red Bull will be delighted that he’s continuing to step up into a team leader role and generating the same aura as one of Formula 1’s most legendary drivers.
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