Red Bull driver Max Verstappen is just one win away from tying one of Michael Schumacher’s more impressive Formula 1 records.
If Verstappen wins the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and Lando Norris finishes outside the podium, he’ll join Schumacher as the only drivers to win five titles in a row.
Schumacher put together that stretch between 2000 and 2004, a period in which he completely dominated the sport.
It was a rule change, along with Renault and Fernando Alonso’s rise, that eventually ended his streak. And while Verstappen once trailed by 104 points this season, McLaren have steadily pulled him back into the fight for another title defence.
Damon Hill has pointed out another aspect of Verstappen’s game this year – his patience. It hasn’t always been associated with him in the past, but it seems to be growing stronger each season.
Max Verstappen compared to Michael Schumacher by Damon Hill for the second time
“It’s very easy, when you’re a young driver, to think that you know how to do something,” Hill told The Times. “It takes a great deal of humility to look at yourself and say you can be better.
“[Juan Manuel] Fangio used to say you have to believe you’re the best but always think you can do better, and that’s what I think Lando has shown and what Oscar [Piastri] is having to find out or resolve within himself — because he’s either had a lot of bad luck or something has gone missing.
“And, all the time in the background, you’ve got Max out there showing everyone up. Hill continued: “Frankly, he’s ridiculously good… Max is very much in the Schumacher mould. He’s very immersed in what he’s doing, in the same way Michael was.”
Red Bull’s direction after Christian Horner departure discussed by Damon Hill
This season, one of the most significant developments in the paddock was Red Bull’s decision to part ways with team principal Christian Horner.
Laurent Mekies has claimed that he hasn’t made much impact since taking over, but Verstappen’s late push in the championship tells a different story.
Hill shared his thoughts on Horner’s departure, saying: “It will be interesting to see how it changes now that Christian [Horner] has left [Red Bull].
“I think he was very strong on trying to manipulate the narrative, and I think that backfired on him really [when he was sacked in July]. But anyway, it was constant from Red Bull’s side. They wanted to control everything.”
“It wasn’t very edifying. It wasn’t good for Formula 1, it wasn’t good for Christian, it wasn’t good for anyone, really. It’s a good thing that it’s over.”
Mekies has praised Verstappen for taking control of set-up decisions within the team and has found that giving the Dutchman more responsibility is paying off.
This supports Hill’s suggestion that Verstappen is becoming more like Schumacher, who had a major influence behind the scenes at Ferrari.
In the coming days, we’ll find out if Verstappen can also replicate one of Schumacher’s most remarkable achievements in racing.
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