On the track, it was a case of victory no matter what for Michael Schumacher, says Max Verstappen, who feels he shares the F1 icon\u2019s complete focus behind the wheel.<\/p>\n
Off the track meanwhile, Schumacher also made sure to take very good care of his family, home life something which Verstappen<\/a> also cherishes. And it is for this reason that Verstappen is not interested in targeting Schumacher\u2019s joint record of seven World Championship wins, despite already being on four.<\/p>\n Max Verstappen can see Michael Schumacher parallels<\/p>\n Want more PlanetF1.com coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list<\/a> for news you can trust.<\/p>\n For Verstappen, his personal connection to Schumacher came through family.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause my father Jos was Schumacher\u2019s teammate at Benetton in 1994, the families knew each other for many years afterwards,\u201d Verstappen told the respected Swiss publication Blick.<\/p>\n \u201cWe even spent a few holidays together. I knew him as Uncle Michael.\u201d<\/p>\n Since his younger years, Verstappen has gone on to let his on-track achievements do the talking, when it comes to those Schumacher connections.<\/p>\n Verstappen was therefore asked whether he sees any parallels between himself and Schumacher.<\/p>\n Both drivers to have defined a generation, Verstappen has already won 71 grands prix as a Red Bull driver. 72 of Schumacher\u2019s 91 career wins came with Ferrari.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, on the track and in my private life,\u201d Verstappen confirmed.<\/p>\n More on Max Verstappen from PlanetF1.com<\/p>\n Why Max Verstappen needs to race a Supercar<\/a><\/p>\n Max Verstappen reveals essential driver trait for F1 2026<\/a><\/p>\n One driver, that being Lewis Hamilton, has successfully matched Schumacher\u2019s record tally of seven World Championship wins.<\/p>\n But, Verstappen has little interest in sticking around trying to be the next.<\/p>\n Hamilton turned 41 ahead of the F1 2026 campaign, while Schumacher was also in his 40s when he made his second and final retirement from Formula 1.<\/p>\n Verstappen has consistently stated that he does not wish to still be competing in Formula 1 at that age. In addition to racing ambitions outside of F1, Verstappen also puts family time front and centre as a life priority.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was a driver who worked tirelessly and gave his all,\u201d said Verstappen of Schumacher. \u201cFor him, only victory counted, no matter how it was achieved. On the track, he was completely focused, just like me.<\/p>\n \u201cBut at home, he took care of his family and gave them the attention they deserved.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter more than 230 races, my goal is definitely not to chase seven World Championship titles.<\/p>\n \u201cFor me, there is nothing more important than my family and my children. They are the motivation that you can only get within your own four walls.\u201d<\/p>\n Verstappen\u2019s long-time partner Kelly Piquet gave birth to their daughter, Lily, in May 2025. Verstappen is also the stepfather to Piquet\u2019s daughter, Penelope.<\/p>\n Want to be the first to know exclusive information from the F1 paddock? Join our broadcast channel on WhatsApp<\/a> to get the scoop on the latest developments from our team of accredited journalists.<\/p>\n You can also subscribe to the PlanetF1 YouTube channel<\/a> for exclusive features, hear from our paddock journalists with stories from the heart of Formula 1 and much more!<\/p>\n