Max Verstappen has joined the elite group of grand prix drivers to have won three or more world championships. But how does he shape up against the ones who have gone before, and why does he resist comparisons with them? Does he redefine greatness? And where might he stop?
WORDS ALEX KALINAUCKAS PICTURES
Very little fazes Max Verstappen. As Formula 1’s current dominator, and now a triple title winner, he’s wise to rivals’ attacking moves and the media’s probing work.
Indeed, he’s instantly dismissive of comparisons with other world champions – publicly at least. Repeatedly on the weekend he sealed his most recent triumph, in Qatar, he insisted “I find it very hard to compare world champions”. But that’s consistent with his messages every time the subject has been broached on his waltz to the 2023 crown.
He’s sensible to avoid the PR pitfalls of winding up fans with long memories. Plus in maintaining modesty here Verstappen avoids handing a competitive edge to his rivals, in that they might use his desire to replicate an older hero to try and knock him off course.
Historical comparisons are to a driver an example of losing focus – risking the ‘next race up’ mentality so required to win championships. But, for us mere mortals, who doesn’t love a good debate on a driver’s place in the overall F1 legend? It’s a topic horribly polarised on social media, where even posing such a question is often taken as an implicit threat where, of course, none exists.
Here then, is the perfect arena to compare and contrast Max with his fellow three-time (and more) F1 champions.
A ONE-TEAM CHAMPION?
Juan Manuel Fangio’s famous 1950s run took in titles with four teams – Alfa Romeo, Mercedes, Ferrari and Maserati. A master of manoeuvring himself into the best cars – his reputation as a gentleman on the track and the best racer of the world championship’s first decade eased his path between seats.
So far, Verstappen hasn’t needed to force a move to another team – not since his father, Jos, and manager Raymond Vermeulen made it clear he was ready for that famously record-setting F1 promotion at 17 and Red Bull had the means to accommodate him in F1 immediately with Toro Rosso when Mercedes, his other suitor, did not. Then, Daniil Kvyat’s savage ousting brought Max to Red Bull’s senior team in 2016 – so young he could still do much learning plus the odd, impressive, bits of winning – at a crack operation. Verstappen has a contract with his current squad un
