Max Verstappen told to forget beating Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher’s F1 legacies

Red Bull star Max Verstappen has written his name into the F1 history books after stunning title victories but he has been told that he will never match the best drivers of all time.

Ex-Mercedes AMG F1 chief Nick Fry has told Max Verstappen he still has work to do to match the achievements of Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher.

In recent seasons, the Dutch racer has made a significant impact on the F1 record books through a series of impressive performances.

The talented driver from Red Bull has successfully secured the last three championships in a row, with his latest achievement being regarded as one of the most dominant in the annals of motorsport.

Verstappen’s triumph in 2023 puts him on par with Niki Lauda and Ayrton Senna in terms of winning three championships. However, Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton remain at the pinnacle, having secured seven Formula 1 championships each.

Fry has given his assessment on who he believes is the greatest driver of all time and reckons Verstappen still has more to do if he is to secure a legacy. He said: “Michael Schumacher will be remembered for more than winning. My personal favourite is Ayrton Senna.

“He added a romantic appeal to the sport because he was mysteriously thoughtful, super bright, and died before his time. He was the James Dean of F1. It’s a predictable answer, but he’d be on my list as the greatest of all time. It’s more than just winning races.

“I think Lewis Hamilton would be my third choice behind Senna and Schumacher. Hamilton has done a lot to broaden the appeal of F1. It’s not just due to his race, but also his interest in music and carving his own path. He’s doing his own thing, appealing to a new crowd who have been introduced to F1 as a result.

“You also have to consider drivers’ starting points. Lewis came from a very regular background, and Lewis is up there due to what he’s been able to achieve himself.

“Max Verstappen can very well finish as the most successful driver ever, but I’m not sure if he’ll be the most heroic and the one who’ll they’ll make movies about. All of the truly great drivers have done something as well as winning races, great achievement though that is.”

During the upcoming season, Verstappen’s goal is to narrow the distance between himself and Hamilton as well as Schumacher in the all-time standings.

The 2024 season will commence on March 2 in Bahrain. Verstappen has the possibility to join an exclusive club of drivers, including Hamilton, Schumacher, Fangio, and Vettel, who have all won four consecutive titles. Meanwhile, Hamilton will strive to solidify his position as the most successful driver in F1 history by securing an eighth title, the first since 2020.