At 26, how does Max Verstappen compare to F1’s a… read more
At just 26 years old, Max Verstappen has already carved out a place among the elite in Formula 1 history. With three World Championships and a fourth looking increasingly likely in 2024, the Dutchman’s dominance is becoming difficult to ignore — and nearly impossible to match. While some may hesitate to call him the greatest of all time just yet, Verstappen’s career trajectory suggests it may only be a matter of time.
Verstappen began his 2024 campaign in much the same way he ended the last: at the front of the pack. Victories in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia extended his winning streak to nine consecutive races, putting him just one shy of matching his own record set in 2023. He now regularly converts pole positions into lights-to-flag victories, turning dominant performances into routine affairs. For many F1 fans, hearing the Dutch national anthem after a Grand Prix has become an expected part of the weekend.
His championship-winning run began in 2021 with a dramatic, season-long battle against Lewis Hamilton, which was only decided in the final race. He won 10 races that year. The following season, Verstappen upped his game significantly, notching 15 victories and clinching the title with four races to spare. In 2023, he was even more ruthless: 19 wins, five races left, and a title that never looked in doubt. No other driver has ever strung together three title-winning seasons with such efficiency at such a young age.
Of course, Verstappen’s critics often point to the superior machinery at his disposal, especially the dominant Red Bull RB19 and RB20. But that argument loses traction when you consider the performance of his teammate. Sergio Perez, driving the same car, has managed just five wins to Verstappen’s 46 since joining Red Bull. It’s a stark reminder that even the best car on the grid requires a special driver to extract its full potential — and Verstappen has consistently proven himself to be that driver.
Verstappen’s precocity also plays a role in how impressive his résumé already is. He became the youngest F1 driver in history when he debuted at just 17 years old in 2015. Now, nine full seasons later, he has amassed more wins, podiums, and pole positions than many legendary drivers managed in entire careers. For example, at age 26, Ayrton Senna had just entered his prime, and Michael Schumacher had only one title. Lewis Hamilton had one championship and 17 wins at the same age — Verstappen already has more than 60.
Part of what makes Verstappen’s rise so compelling is the sheer inevitability of it. From the moment he entered the sport, it was clear he possessed raw talent, but in recent years he’s matured into a calculated, relentless competitor. His racecraft, tire management, and consistency are second to none, and his ability to control a race from the front is reminiscent of the Schumacher era.
Looking ahead, Verstappen has time on his side. If he continues racing into his mid-30s — even with a possible early retirement — he could feasibly surpass Hamilton’s records for wins and titles. While nothing in Formula 1 is guaranteed, Verstappen’s current form and statistical dominance make him the odds-on favorite to become the most decorated driver in history.
At 26, Max Verstappen isn’t just keeping pace with the legends of the sport — he’s outpacing them. If greatness is measured by success, dominance, and longevity, then Verstappen is not just on the path to GOAT status — he may already be halfway there.
