The samples chosen by the champion
That of the compose the ‘all-time’ ranking of Formula 1 drivers, comparing different eras, cars and drivers, is one of the classic impossible games which always amuses motorsport enthusiasts and represents the ‘spice’ of classic (and healthy) sports bar discussions. The Spanish channel DAZN tried to involve the current F1 world champion in this game – because that’s what it is about – Max Verstappen.
The star of the Red Bull team lent himself to the question, defined by himself as “very difficult” and stated that, whatever his selection, “people will comment and disagree with these choices”. But then the three-time world champion, who this year is already well on his way to his fourth consecutive title, issued his sentence. “I’d say Michael [Schumacher]Ayrton [Senna]Fernando [Alonso]Lewis [Hamilton] and Fangio“.
The tribute to Hamilton and Alonso
The last call is the only ‘old school’ one from Verstappen, who is among the active drivers perhaps one of those most linked tohistorical and vintage aspect of motorsport, as also demonstrated by his reluctance towards formats that are a little too ‘innovative’ such as Sprint. Among the ‘chosen ones’ the champion from Hasselt did not hold back from choosing two of his contemporaries: Hamilton, with whom he experienced an epic rivalry in the 2021 season but which is also a fairly ‘obligatory’ nomination given his palmares, and Fernando Alonso.
The Asturian is the least successful in the pool of drivers chosen by Verstappen, with two titles won, but it is known that the Red Bull representative is a great admirer of the veteran from Oviedo. “I believe he was the first Spanish F1 driver who made this sport great in Spain – underlined Verstappen – he also became world champion. For me it’s a bit the same thing in the Netherlands. He loves racing and I love racing – he even a little more than me, given at the age he’s still in F1“.
“I have a lot of respect for him – concluded #1 of the Circus – I remember following him in F1 when I was still on karts. I would turn on the TV for him, because I knew he would run well“.
