“That’s where Michael Schumacher was so strong”: Max Verstappen needs this Michael Schumacher quality to challenge Lewis Hamilton for the GOAT title

Janmeyjay Shukla
|PublishedApr 07, 2022

“That’s where Michael Schumacher was so strong": Max Verstappen needs this Michael Schumacher quality to challenge Lewis Hamilton for the GOAT title

Former World Champion Jenson Button believes Max Verstappen is ‘naturally talented’ and explains how racing runs in the prodigy’s blood

Max Verstappen won the drivers championship last season from Lewis Hamilton after a dramatic finale in Abu Dhabi. In the new era of regulations, Verstappen has had a great start in hopes of winning the second championship. He retired in the first race of the season in Bahrain but fought back to win Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

However, as per Jenson Button, Verstappen has plenty of work to do in order to join the league of greatest drivers. The former champion has advised the Dutchman to replicate Schumacher’s work ethic and raise the bar.

Lewis Hamilton is a more ‘complete driver’ than Max Verstappen

Jenson Button was questioned on his stance on which driver is better among Verstappen and Hamilton. He stated: “[Verstappen] Naturally gifted? Yes. Is he the best? I don’t know if he’s the best driver that has ever lived or the best in F1 now.”

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Button sighted an example of fellow Briton Hamilton and how his experience makes him a complete driver.

He went on to further advise the Dutchman by stating: “Even if you think you’re the best, there’s still more you can do to be better. That’s where Michael Schumacher was so strong.”

Professionalism and Racing are in Max Verstappen’s blood

Max Verstappen is a racing prodigy as his father Jos was also a part of Formula One. Jenson Button has had a few battles with the senior in the past. Talking about Jos, the Briton stated: “When you look at Max’s parents, his dad raced in F1. I raced against his dad and my first points finish was in Brazil in my second race.”

To prove the point that Max Verstappen has the ability to follow Schumacher’s work ethic, he discussed the number 1’s parents.

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“To get that point, I had to overtake his dad, Jos. You didn’t want to get him upset, there was a little bit of aggression there. He was an amazing talent, one of the best kart drivers ever, and still probably to this day,” Button acknowledged Jos’ talent.

“And his mother, Sophie, I was team-mates with her in karting. She was a professional and one of the best in the world. It’s definitely in the blood,” the 2009 World Champion concluded.

#SpanishGP winner Max Verstappen’s father Jos Verstappen, back in 2001 with today’s 9th placed driver Jenson Button. pic.twitter.com/svQoFdTpWy

— Getty Images Sport (@GettySport) May 15, 2016

About the author

Janmeyjay Shukla

Janmeyjay Shukla is an artist who contributes his expressions through words as an F1 writer and editor at The SportsRush. He is an F1 historian who has been watching the sport since he was a baby. Passed on from generation to generation, he has seen the prime of Michael Schumacher to the rise of Max Verstappen. A Mercedes fan from the days of the Brawn GP era, the sport runs in his blood. Besides Formula One, Janmeyjay is a Marketing Head and a musician who loves to sing and play Rock & Pop songs on guitar. His love for sports will never die as he is a loyal Liverpool Football Club fan as well!

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