Max Verstappen Shares Heartfelt Memories of ‘Uncle Michael’ Schumacher
Max Verstappen has offered a rare and touching insight into his personal connection with Formula 1 icon Michael Schumacher, lifting the curtain on a relationship that goes far beyond admiration from afar. In a recent interview, the reigning Dutch superstar reflected on growing up around the seven-time world champion and revealed that, within the Verstappen household, Schumacher was affectionately known as “Uncle Michael.”
Verstappen’s name has become firmly embedded in conversations about the greatest Formula 1 drivers of all time, with his relentless success placing him alongside legends such as Lewis Hamilton, Ayrton Senna, and Schumacher himself. But unlike most drivers who only encountered Schumacher as a rival or inspiration, Verstappen knew the German as a family friend.
That bond was formed through Max’s father, Jos Verstappen, who raced in Formula 1 during Schumacher’s early years and was his team-mate at Benetton in the 1994 season. Their professional relationship soon developed into a personal one, with the two families remaining close long after their time as team-mates came to an end.
Fans have long been familiar with the famous paddock photograph showing a very young, fair-haired Max alongside Schumacher during his dominant Ferrari era. What that image didn’t fully capture, however, was the depth of the relationship behind it. Speaking to Swiss outlet Blick, Verstappen explained that Schumacher was a regular presence during his childhood.
“It’s a beautiful memory, full of pictures and videos,” Verstappen said. “Because my father was Michael’s team-mate at Benetton, our families stayed in touch for many years. We even went on holidays together. To me, he was simply Uncle Michael.”
Verstappen went on to describe Schumacher not just as a racing machine, but as a deeply committed individual. On track, he recalled, Schumacher was obsessively focused, driven by a single-minded determination to win at all costs. Away from the circuit, though, he was a devoted family man who made time for those closest to him.
“He worked incredibly hard and always gave everything,” Verstappen explained. “For him, only victory mattered, no matter how it came. In that sense, we’re similar on track. But at home, he cared deeply for his family and gave them the attention they deserved.”
As Verstappen continues to dominate the modern era of Formula 1, the parallels between his career and Schumacher’s legendary run have become increasingly striking. At just 28 years old, the Red Bull driver is already closing in on several of Schumacher’s long-standing records.
Verstappen currently sits only 20 race wins shy of matching Schumacher’s total of 91 victories, while his podium tally of 127 is rapidly approaching Schumacher’s 155. He also trails the German by 20 pole positions, with 48 to Schumacher’s 68, and continues to climb the list of drivers with wins achieved without starting from pole.
Despite his remarkable consistency, one Schumacher record remains just out of reach for now. Verstappen narrowly missed the chance to equal Schumacher’s achievement of five consecutive world championships in 2025, leaving the German as the only driver to have reached that milestone.
Schumacher also retains one of the sport’s most extraordinary records: a 100 per cent podium finish rate across an entire season, achieved in 2002 when he finished on the podium in all 17 races. Verstappen came agonisingly close in 2023, standing on the podium in 21 of 22 races for an astonishing 95.45 per cent success rate.
As Verstappen edges ever closer to rewriting the history books, his reflections on Schumacher add a human layer to the statistical comparisons. For him, Schumacher is not just a benchmark to chase, but a cherished part of his past — a legend who helped shape both his career and his childhood, remembered fondly as “Uncle Michael.”
