To call Max Verstappen a dominant force in 2023 would be an understatement. To put into perspective just how many records he’s broken this year, here’s a list of them. Highest win percentage in a season, most wins in a season, most consecutive wins, most wins from pole position, most points in a season, most podiums, most laps led, biggest gap to P2 ever. If you think that’s all, it’s not. There are so many others, too. The best part (or the worst if you’re anyone other than Verstappen) is that 2023 isn’t over yet. 

Considering Verstappen’s dominance, there were always going to be comparisons with the greats of the past. One name that stands out is Michael Schumacher. While many may think the three-time champion has already reached Schumacher’s level, the seven-time champion’s brother would rather not say.

Can Max Verstappen be compared to Uncle Michael?

Michael Schumacher has almost been a constant in Verstappen’s life, not as someone whose records he strives to beat but as someone he looks up to. He spent a lot of his childhood with Schumacher, and the seven-time champion became a role model. Although Verstappen has never liked being compared to others, seeing how the 2023 season has played out, some couldn’t help but compare him to Schumacher.

A few months ago, when Red Bull went into the summer break unbeaten—mostly thanks to Verstappen—F1 journalist Michael Schmidt compared Verstappen’s season to Schumacher’s 2004 title run. The German won 13 races that season, breezing through to win his seventh title. Verstappen, who surpassed that 13-win record in 2022 has already reached the 17-win mark this season. Although he’s still some ways away from equalling Schumacher’s 91 victories, there’s no doubt he’s on his way.

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Despite Verstappen’s hunger to win, his consistency, and his dominance over the field this season, Ralf Schumacher doesn’t believe he can be compared to his brother. As quoted by Formula Passion, Schumacher told Sky Deutschland, “Victory after victory, Verstappen continues to write history and simply made no mistakes in Brazil. However, I am not in favor of making comparisons with my brother or Ayrton Senna. They were exceptional in their time.” [Translated by Google]

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Comparing different eras is very difficult, especially considering how much F1 cars have changed over the years. Ralf Schumacher would like to know that he isn’t the only one who doesn’t want to compare Verstappen to past greats.

Toto Wolff doesn’t think Verstappen has joined Senna’s greatness

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has never been a fan of Verstappen’s comparison to Ayrton Senna. Back when the Dutchman was in F3 in 2014, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko saw a Senna-esque spark in him. Marko told Wolff about it, but all Wolff did was ask Marko not to make those comparisons. But Marko believed his eye (pun unintended) for scoping out talent and gave Verstappen an F1 seat for 2015. Even now, when Verstappen has shown Senna-esque signs, Wolff can’t get himself to compare the two.

In an interview earlier this year, Wolff discussed Verstappen’s dominant era in comparison to Senna’s. He said, “It’s so hard to compare drivers from different generations, but Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost, both legends of the sport, and I think Max will soon join that group.” After the Dutchman won his Senna-equalling 41st race in Canada this year, his boss Christian Horner couldn’t help but contradict Wolff’s comments. “What we’re witnessing with Max is the emergence of another mega talent, and you can start to talk about him in the same sentences as the greats.”

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Do you think Max Verstappen can be compared to Michael Schumacher, Ayrton Senna, and all the other greats?