We assembled a list of quotes on how Red Bull Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen (pictured) ranks with the all-time greats in motorsports. These quotes are all out there; just Google them, and there’s so many more.

There is a broad and genuine consensus across drivers, team principals, and veterans that Max Verstappen is the outstanding talent of his generation and one of the purest drivers Formula 1 has produced. Many already place him in the company of Senna, Schumacher, and Hamilton on pure ability. Whether he ultimately finishes as the greatest of all time will depend on how the rest of his career unfolds — particularly if he adds more titles or proves himself in different cars. At 29, with 73 wins and four championships already secured, he is well positioned to keep the debate alive for years to come.

Verstappen’s 19 wins in 2023 remain a single-season record. His win rate is comparable to or better than Hamilton and Schumacher. He has also produced high-quality seasons both in dominant machinery (2022–23) and in cars that were not the clear class of the field (2021, parts of 2024, and 2025, when he finished runner-up to Lando Norris by just two points).

Driver
Titles
Wins
Win rate
Poles
Podiums
Notes

Max Verstappen
4 (2021–24)
73
~29%
50
136
Still active, age 29

Lewis Hamilton
7
106
~27%
105+
200+
Longest active career

Michael Schumacher
7
91
~30%
68
155
Peak dominance 2000–04

Ayrton Senna
3
41
~25%
65
80
Highest poles relative to starts

Juan Manuel Fangio
5
24
~47%
29
35
Highest win rate in history

Lewis Hamilton: Max has shown why he’s a force to be reckoned with, it’s so great racing against one of the greats.

Anthony Davidson: I would choose Max Verstappen… he can jump in most things and be quick.

Niki Lauda: I’ve never seen anyone do that before, he’s the talent of the century

Alex Albon: For me, Max is the greatest

Damon Hill: Max has that Schumacher quality. The focus, the relentlessness, the ability to extract everything from the car every single lap. He does not switch off.

Sebastian Vettel: Max is doing something that F1 has never seen; he’s set a new benchmark

Christian Horner: Max is the greatest talent I’ve seen in a race car

Ralf Schumacher: Purely in terms of skill, they are the two best drivers I’ve seen in Formula 1, Michael and Max

Martin Brundle: Max is the benchmark

Jenson Button: I think Max Verstappen is the greatest F1 driver of all time

Jimmy Broadbent : Max is the greatest driver ever

Fernando Alonso: Only Max, only he can do it.

Lando Norris: I’m fighting against Max, probably the best there’s ever been

Antony Hamilton: incredible talent and an absolute gentleman

Nico Rosberg: Max is the best driver I raced against

Gerhard Berger: I was teammates with Senna and Max is the only one like him. Maybe better

Nico Hulkenberg: Max is the GOAT

Stefan Johansson: The most complete F1 driver ever

Sebastian Buemi: He’s the GOAT

Gunther Steiner: Max has reached GOAT status

Helmet Marko: I’ve not seen anyone with the talent Verstappen possess.

Jaime Alguersuari: Best F1 driver ever

Ollie Bearman: He’s the best driver we’ve ever had

Sergio Perez: I used to look at his telemetry data and think how the hell are you doing that

Pete Windsor: He drives like very few. Like Jim Clark

Pedro Del La Rosa: Easily one of the greatest

Toto Wolff: he’s a special special driver we may not see again.

The list goes on and on and on and on.