20 Reasons Max Verstappen Is The Greatest Formula 1 Driver Of All Time
What Makes Max the G.O.A.T?
Formula One's history is full of talented drivers from Lewis Hamilton to Michael Schumacher. Still, while we know these are fighting words to many F1 fans, we believe Max Verstappen is better than any of them. While he doesn't have seven championship titles under his belt (yet), he has all the qualities—like adaptability, cool-headedness, and relentless drive—that make him not just a great driver, but a legendary one. Here are 20 reasons why Max Verstappen may truly be the greatest F1 driver of all time.
Nicolas Tucat | Credit: AP on Wikimedia
1. He's Calm Under Pressure
Aside from his notorious potty mouth, Max Verstappen is good at staying calm under pressure. When things go wrong, he may let out a few swear words, but he regroups much quicker than other drivers.
2. He's Constantly Improving
Verstappen never seems to rest on his laurels. He's constantly improving his craft, making marginal gains, and tweaking his approach to every race weekend.
3. He Has Multiple Championships under His Belt
Verstappen already has four championship titles under his belt, which he won consecutively from 2021 to 2024. While it doesn't rival the seven both Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher have, it's amazing momentum considering he's only 28.
4. He Makes Minimal Mistakes
Verstappen makes a remarkably small number of mistakes, especially now that he has become a more mature driver. This signals his high level of consistency and focus.
5. He Adapts Quickly
Regulations got nothing on Verstappen. He masters new cars faster than anyone, adjusts to changing grip and weather conditions instantly, and learns new circuits extremely quickly.
6. His Pace Is Unmatched
Verstappen's lap times are consistently faster than almost anyone else on the grid. His need for speed has been apparent since his early go-karting days.
7. He's The Youngest Grand Prix Winner
He holds the record for being the youngest grand prix winner ever, at the age of 18. This demonstrates his raw natural talent and early ambition.
8. He Has The Most Consecutive Wins
Verstappen also holds the record for being the driver with the most consecutive wins. He won 10 times in a row in the 2023 season, and also won all but three of the 22 races overall that year.
9. He Has a Relentless Drive
Most drivers lose their edge at a certain point, but not Verstappen. He's still hungry, competitive, and always wants to win, no matter what it takes.
10. He's A Wet Weather Master
Verstappen is known for his dominance in wet conditions. This demonstrates his enormous talent, as there's perhaps nothing more challenging than driving an F1 car with pace on a soaked track.
11. He's Able To Mentally Reset
For Verstappen, one bad lap never becomes a bad race because he snaps back instantly. Time and again, he's had terrible luck in one segment of the race, but takes the podium anyway—the mark of a truly great Formula One driver.
12. He Has Engineer-Level Knowledge
Verstappen has a magnificent technical understanding and is known for giving some of the best feedback on the grid. He's able to meet his engineering team on their level, which helps in developing and refining the car.
13. He Holds The Highest Single-Season Win Percentage
Verstappen set the record for the highest single-season win percentage, taking home gold at 86.38 percent of the grand prix in 2023. This greatly eclipsed the previous record set by Alberto Ascari in 1952, who had 75 percent.
14. He Has A Different Approach Towards The Media
Most of the drivers on the grid seem to get an ego boost from the media attention, but not Verstappen. He's known for being direct, honest, and refusing to play the "media game."
15. He Outperforms Teammates By Huge Margins
Verstappen consistently outperforms his teammates by massive margins. This is a significant testament to his talent, considering they're in exactly the same car.
16. He Has Exceptional Control
Verstappen's success owes greatly to his exceptional car control. He possesses an incredible feel for the car and can manage oversteer better than almost everyone else.
17. He's A Beast At Overtaking
Verstappen has become legendary for his ability to overtake in seemingly impossible places. Never afraid to go for a gap, even if it requires inhuman precision.
18. He's A Qualifying King
Verstappen shares the record for the most consecutive pole positions with Ayrton Senna. He earned eight in 202, and also holds the record for the most pole positions in a single season.
19. He Has Tremendous Courage
Time and again, Verstappen has showcased his relentless courage without being overly reckless. This allows him to overpass where others wouldn't dare, drive at the limit, and take decisive action. It's one of his defining qualities that sets him apart.
Original image: Stefan Brending on Wikimedia
20. He's Exceptionally Good At Managing Tires
Verstappen is known for his ability to manage tire wear effectively, a crucial skill in modern F1 racing. This allows him to find grip where others can't.
