Former Ferrari boss Jean Todt does see similarities between Max Verstappen and Michael Schumacher.
After back-to-back championships in 2021 and 2022, the Dutchman has emerged as Formula 1’s clear lead driver with a third title appearing inevitable in 2023 after just three races.
That success, and some of the controversies surrounding it, has made Verstappen a divisive figure among fans, much like Schumacher during his F1 career.
And Todt, who led Ferrari during Schumacher’s run of five consecutive championships between 2000 and 2004, was asked to give his view about the Red Bull driver.
“Fast, he makes few mistakes,” he told Corriere Della Sera as per MotorsportWeek. “He’s a fighter like Michael. But on a human level, I know Max too little to judge him.
“Michael might have seemed a bit presumptuous and obnoxious when he ran, but it was an attitude that served to hide his shyness.
“He was humble, he always questioned himself. He never blamed the team, not even when the brakes broke at Silverstone through our fault.
“I don’t make comparisons, but he and Max have one thing in common – they drive for the best team and that helps.”
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Should Verstappen’s success continue, he could quickly close in on some of the records held by Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton in the coming years.
But former McLaren and Red Bull driver David Coulthard believes he is already among F1’s greats.
“He is a phenomenon, an exceptional driver, a legend,” The Scot told Dutch broadcaster Viaplay.
“From the moment he came into the sport, he came as a Senna, a Schumacher, or a Hamilton. He came ready to win.
“He didn’t come as a rookie learning everything. I know I attribute a lot to him as he’s only 24, but he’s an exceptional driver.
“I never was, but I appreciate hard work and success. Max is someone who has got a whole country on its feet – no matter how many titles he wins, he is already one of the greatest.”