Max Verstappen, the reigning F1 world champion, has been competing at the pinnacle of motor racing for several years. He has proved almost unstoppable under the current set of regulations and all his might has led the former F1 driver, Gerhard Berger to change his stance on the F1 GOAT debate.
Berger had previously claimed that the late. 3-time world champion, Ayrton Senna is the greatest driver that F1 has ever seen. However, seeing Verstappen’s meteoric rise, he has admitted that the Dutchman has gone ahead of Senna in the GOAT debate.
While shedding light on it to the Austrian newspaper, Kronen Zeitung, he said, (H/T: racingnews365)
I said previously that Senna is the best driver of all time, but I think Verstappen is slightly above that. He has skills that I have never seen before, [but] it is necessary for the fans to have more winners. It is also interesting to see a perfect season, as last year. On the one hand from the team, there were no retirements due to technical problems, and no delays at pit-stops.
Looking at the reaction of the Austrian, it is quite clear that he has left no stone unturned in applauding Red Bull’s star driver, Max Verstappen. The latter managed to amass a highly impressive nineteen grand prix win during the 2023 F1 season.
Max Verstappen is tipped by many as the driver to break the F1 world championship record
While Gerhard Berger has showered immense praise on the 26-year-old, the latter is seen by several fans and also the pundits, as the driver who could break Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton’s seven world championships record somewhere down the line. Verstappen has so far managed to amass three world titles.
Moreover, keeping in view how dominant Red Bull has proved under the current regulations, there is a very good chance that Verstappen could amass two more by the time 2026 comes around. This is the year when the next regulation change will kick in.
Since securing his maiden world title in 2021, Max Verstappen has seen a massive rise in his confidence as an F1 driver. He has never been afraid of going wheel to wheel with his fellow drivers but now, he does it with a pragmatic approach.
The 2024 F1 season is just around the corner and considering everything that has been discussed above, Verstappen will have the spotlight on him throughout the 24-race campaign.
More must-reads: