There are plenty who think Ayrton Senna is one of the greatest Formula 1 drivers ever, but one of his former competitors believes Max Verstappen now deserves to be ranked above him.
Senna had already won three world titles before his tragic death at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix and was a global icon by then.
He built that reputation not just through sheer pace, but also his ability to adapt to any conditions thrown his way. Away from the car, Senna carried an air of mystery that made him even more intriguing to fans.
Verstappen has drawn comparisons to the Brazilian over the years due to qualities that have allowed him to consistently outperform the competition.
The latest person to weigh in on this debate is Marc Surer, who competed against Senna during the early part of his career.
Marc Surer ranks Max Verstappen higher than Ayrton Senna in F1’s GOAT debate
Speaking to Formel1.de, Surer was asked about where the Dutchman fits into his personal ranking after another season spent competing for the title.
“After Ayrton Senna, he is the best I have ever seen. I raced against Ayrton Senna, and I believe that Max [Verstappen] even takes it a step further by learning from it.
“In terms of talent and also in terms of uncompromisingness, he was like Ayrton. He held on and was so connected to the sport, which I also see in Max Verstappen,” he said.
Surer went on to say: “But Max has learned a lot, and that surprised me because at the beginning he was indeed out there with a crowbar. But then he learned.
“And I believe that’s why you even have to put him above Ayrton Senna. I think he is the best for me that I have ever seen.”
Surer’s view is not an outlier, either. Gerhard Berger, who drove alongside Senna at McLaren in the late ’80s and early ’90s, has also voiced support for Verstappen.
He pointed to Verstappen’s dedication outside of racing as a key factor.
Marc Surer: Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are not yet on Max Verstappen’s level
Surer was also asked by Formel1.de why he had not rated Lando Norris higher, despite the Briton securing the title in Abu Dhabi.
The Swiss replied: “Well, they had the best car, and so one had high expectations, of course. I’m glad there were two of them, because otherwise it would have been easy.
“They took away each other’s points, and McLaren played fairly, one must also say. Maybe sometimes too fairly, when I think of Monza.
“But basically, I have to say, the two are good, but they do not have the level that Vettel once had, that Hamilton had, and that Max Verstappen has now.”
Piastri has also drawn comparisons to Verstappen over time and is widely seen within F1 circles as a future world champion in waiting.
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