Max Verstappen has been likened to Formula 1 legends Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher by his former Red Bull Racing teammate, Sergio Pérez. The comparison was made during Verstappen’s dominant 2023 season, highlighting his exceptional talent and performance on track. Pérez, who partnered Verstappen at Red Bull from 2021 to 2024, offered this high praise during an interview with FOX Sports.
Pérez specifically stated that Verstappen is ‘one of the greats of Formula 1, like Schumacher or Ayrton Senna.’ These comments came as Verstappen was in the midst of a commanding run, securing eight victories in the first ten races of the 2023 season.
While Pérez’s remarks date back to 2023, Verstappen’s current 2026 Formula 1 season with Oracle Red Bull Racing presents a different scenario. His current teammate is Isack Hadjar, who joined the team for the 2026 campaign.
The 2026 season has proven challenging for Red Bull Racing. As of August 8, 2026, the team has yet to secure a victory, making them the only top team without a win this year.
Verstappen currently holds sixth position in the Drivers’ Championship, trailing leader Kimi Antonelli by 110 points. Red Bull finished third in the Constructors’ Championship in 2025, with Verstappen narrowly missing a fifth consecutive title.
Despite the team’s overall struggles, the Red Bull-Ford power unit has emerged as a competitive engine among the new 2026 regulations. This power unit’s performance has allowed Red Bull to implement higher downforce setups on certain circuits, compensating for aerodynamic deficiencies.
Beyond Pérez, other prominent figures in Formula 1 have also drawn parallels between Verstappen and the sport’s icons. In December 2025, former F1 driver Christijan Albers suggested Verstappen combines Senna’s instinct with Schumacher’s consistency, noting his ability to dominate and perform under pressure.
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko also made a Senna comparison in October 2023, observing that Verstappen’s teammates often struggle, a trait he linked to Senna’s era. Christian Horner, Red Bull Team Principal, likened the Verstappen-Pérez dynamic to Michael Schumacher’s time at Benetton in December 2024, citing Pérez’s difficulties with the RB20 car.
Former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan went further in June 2024, claiming Verstappen could outperform both Senna and Schumacher in identical machinery due to his experience and consistent driving.
Verstappen himself has faced car issues during the current season, including aerodynamic problems and shift struggles. Despite these challenges, he secured a second-place finish at the Hungarian Grand Prix in July 2026, describing it as an ‘incredible’ result given the circumstances.
Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Team Principal, has acknowledged the significant challenge facing the team in 2026, particularly with the new power unit regulations. He stated that the team is not ‘delusional’ about the task ahead.
