It’s hard to argue that Max Verstappen isn’t the fastest driver in Formula 1 right now.
Red Bull have nurtured Max Verstappen from a young age, and after making his F1 debut 10 years ago, he’s now a four-time world champion with the potential to add plenty more titles to his collection.
At the age of just 27, he’s already achieved more than nearly every driver in the history of the sport has managed, although the drivers’ championship might be out of reach this year unless Red Bull find a way to quickly improve the RB21.
Unsurprisingly, Verstappen’s dominance has drawn comparisons to stars in other sports and claims that he’s one of the greatest drivers in F1 history.
Verstappen’s best-ever F1 season was statistically stronger than Michael Schumacher’s which is incredible to consider given how dominant the German was during his time with Ferrari.
David Coulthard suggested Verstappen’s drive in Sao Paulo last year was the stuff of legend after progressing from P17 to comfortably win the race in the harshest of conditions.
READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend
Jaime Alguersuari describes the ‘gift’ Max Verstappen and Tiger Woods share
Former Toro Rosso and F1 star Jaime Alguersuari was speaking on the Beyond The Grid Podcast about the Dutchman.
Alguersuari was once the record holder for the youngest driver in F1 history when he made his debut at the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix.
| DRIVER | TEAM | AGE | RACE |
| Max Verstappen | Toro Rosso | 17 years, 166 days | 2015 Australian GP |
| Lance Stroll | Williams | 18 years, 148 days | 2017 Australian GP |
| Andrea Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 18 years, 202 days | 2025 Australian GP |
| Oliver Bearman | Ferrari | 18 years, 305 days | 2024 Saudi Arabian GP |
| Lando Norris | McLaren | 19 years, 124 days | 2019 Australian GP |
| Jaime Alguersuari | Toro Rosso | 19 years, 125 days | 2009 Hungarian GP |
| Mike Thackwell | Tyrrell | 19 years, 182 days | 1980 Canadian GP |
| Ricardo Rodriguez | Ferrari | 19 years, 208 days | 1961 Italian GP |
| Fernando Alonso | Minardi | 19 years, 218 days | 2001 Australian GP |
| Esteban Tuero | Minardi | 19 years, 320 days | 1998 Australian GP |
That record was broken by Verstappen, and when Alguersuari was asked about him making his F1 debut at the age of 17, he said: “Unique. You can sum it up in one word. I think it’s unique.
“And the reason why it’s unique is because I think Max had a very different education than anybody else in karting, the way he trained, the way he competed.
“He competed in everything, shifter karts, normal karts. He was competitive in every single environment, in every single circumstance he was given.
“He had pure speed. And it’s not just a gift from God. It’s also like those gifts that Tiger Woods has and all the greatest sportsmen in the world.
“But this is hard work. It’s not just a gift from the sky, you know. It’s hard, like a lot of work, like really, really a lot of work.
“And this is why Max was so successful from the very, very start. And I think that’s why he was unique.”
READ MORE: All you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links
How Tiger Woods inspired Lewis Hamilton during his Formula 1 career
Although Woods and Verstappen haven’t ever commented on each other’s careers, Woods has proven to be an inspiration to the Dutchman’s rival, Lewis Hamilton.
In an interview in 2017 with the FIA’s official magazine, AUTO, Hamilton said: “I saw what Tiger was doing and I was like: one day I want to be like that in my world, in racing.
“I’d look at the Williams sisters breaking through and think: I pray and hope that one day I can be great like they have been because they have broken down barriers.
“For example, I play golf now because of Tiger. Well, actually I’ve quit because I suck!
“But I took it up because of Tiger, and I started playing tennis because of the Williams sisters, it’s just how it goes.”
Verstappen and Hamilton still have a long way to go if they want to reach the same level of achievement as Woods.
The 49-year-old spent more than 13 years sitting at the top of the World Golf Rankings, has won 15 major championships and is tied for the most wins on the PGA Tour.
His dominance of the sport was extraordinary, and while Verstappen and Hamilton have both reached that level in spells, they may never be as good as Woods was at his peak.
Leave feedback about this