Max Verstappen Joins Ayrton Senna as All-Time Great, Surpasses Schumacher and Hamilton: Gerhard Berger’s Bold Claim

In a remarkable statement, former F1 driver Gerhard Berger has rated Max Verstappen and Ayrton Senna as the two best drivers he has witnessed in the past 50 years. He acknowledged the exceptional skills of Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton but placed the young Dutch driver above these F1 legends.

Key Takeaways:

• Gerhard Berger’s Remarkable Claim: Berger, a veteran in the world of Formula 1, has elevated Max Verstappen to the status of Ayrton Senna, claiming these two are the best he’s seen in his 50-year experience, while still appreciating the extraordinary talents of Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton.
• Verstappen’s Impressive Track Record: Max Verstappen, only 25 years old, has shown a dominant performance in F1, winning his first championship in 2021, securing 15 Grand Prix victories last season, and already achieving 12 race wins halfway through the current season.
• The Complexity of Comparing Legends: Berger’s comparison stirs debate, highlighting the difficulty of comparing drivers across different eras in F1’s evolving history, considering the changes in rules, circuits, engines, and cars.

Former F1 driver Gerhard Berger has sparked significant discussion in the world of Formula 1 with his recent claim about Max Verstappen. According to Berger, Verstappen and the late Ayrton Senna are the two most impressive drivers he has seen in his extensive career spanning half a century. While he did not diminish the achievements of Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher, whom he described as “exceptional,” it’s clear that he holds Verstappen in a higher regard.

Verstappen’s ascent in Formula 1 has been nothing short of meteoric. Winning his first world championship in 2021, he showed no signs of slowing down, claiming an impressive 15 Grand Prix victories last season. His performance this year continues to be dominant, with 12 race wins already under his belt. Verstappen also recently broke the record for the most consecutive race wins, which currently stands at ten.

But it’s not just about the records for Berger. As he told Kronen Zeitung, “Verstappen and Senna are unique in the business – they are the two best I have seen in the last 50 years. Schumacher and Hamilton are also exceptional drivers. Of course, you should always look at the statistics, they are both fantastic. But Senna died early – and Verstappen is still young.”

Senna’s legacy in F1 is well-documented, with achievements including 65 pole positions, 80 podiums, 41 race wins, and 19 fastest laps before his untimely death in 1994. Berger’s comparison between Verstappen and Senna, and his acknowledgment of Schumacher and Hamilton, have stirred a debate among F1 enthusiasts and experts. The difficulty of comparing drivers from different eras, each with their unique challenges and advancements in technology, further complicates these assessments.

While some may view Berger’s opinions as overly enthusiastic, others might find them a compelling perspective in the ever-evolving narrative of F1’s greatest drivers. Ultimately, it underscores the richness of Formula 1’s history and the unique qualities each driver brings to the sport.