Max Verstappen has had quite the character arc in Formula 1. From being a short-tempered, young generational talent to an experienced, much calmer, 3-time World Champion, the Dutchman has a rollercoaster of a story to tell his children. This is Red Bull’s second time witnessing such a dominant period after Sebastian Vettel‘s 4-year run last decade. The current defending champion is carrying his German predecessor’s legacy ahead, and Vettel couldn’t be any happier about it.

In 2023, Verstappen broke Vettel’s longstanding record of 9 consecutive wins by securing a 10th in Monza. The Dutchman also ended the year with his 54th F1 victory, overtaking Vettel’s 53 with ease. All that is left for the 3-time champion to do is win his 4th championship in 2024, which he already has one hand on, and match his retired idol’s tally.

While Inspector Seb might feel his records slipping by, like a true sportsman, he has commended Verstappen’s efforts and transformation. In a recent interview, the former was asked about which F1 driver “surprised” him the most. “Hard to remember one of them,” Vettel told TalkSport before letting out a chuckle. “But I think, Max. Just the sheer skill when he rocked up and how he was able to polish it, driving at the level he is today.”

From idolizing Red Bull’s 4-time champ to surpassing his records and earning his respect, these comments from Vettel highlight how the world has come round for Verstappen.

Verstappen calls Sebastian Vettel his F1 inspiration

Sebastian Vettel was Red Bull’s first-ever world champion and F1’s most dominant winner after Michael Schumacher. Great right? Winning ruthlessly from 2010 to 2013, Vettel became a source of inspiration for the drivers who were aiming to be where he was. And to everyone’s surprise, Max Verstappen was one of them, and he was only 13 years old when Vettel won his first championship.

“I remember, of course, when it was still around the Seb [Vettel] years,” he said on Red Bull’s Talking Bulls podcast, after winning the 2023 championship. “And you see that he’s holding the trophy, and that is something really impressive. You only think it would be quite cool if you had your own name on it. And then, now you see it [Verstappen’s name] three times on there with all these other great drivers, it’s cool. I mean, I can’t complain!”

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It is heartwarming to witness such love between F1’s greatest drivers. If Vettel indeed makes a comeback, as the rumors say, the grid would have 4 world champions battling it out to earn bragging rights. Now that would definitely shed the ‘boring’ tag given by fans because of Max Verstappen’s dominance.