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Formula 1: Is Max Verstappen the GOAT?

Will Brown by Will Brown, June 30, 2025

Max Verstappen GOAT Red Bull driver

In the high-octane world of Formula 1, Max Verstappen has emerged as a generational talent redefining greatness. But is Max Verstappen the GOAT? Despite being only 27 years old, the Dutch driver has secured four consecutive world championships and remains a hot contender in the 2025 season. In this guide, we’ve looked at whether the driver is set to be the greatest of all time and how he stacks up against other contenders for the title.

Could Verstappen Become the F1 GOAT?

We understand that exploring who the GOAT of F1 is always going to be contentious. Therefore, we’ve looked at everything from statistical records, Verstappen’s undeniable skill, and his impact on the sport so far to determine his current status in the all-time list.

We’ve also compared Verstappen’s record to other great drivers, including Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, and Lewis Hamilton. Of course, we’ve also discussed results of the 2025 season so far and looked ahead to the future to answer the question of whether he could be the best.

The GOAT of F1? The Rise of Verstappen

Max Verstappen’s rise in Formula 1 has been nothing short of phenomenal. Raised in a racing family by former F1 driver Jos Verstappen and a karting mother, Max was already well acquainted with the elite racing world. His karting and formulae seasons were dotted with record-shattering performances, and he dominated at home and internationally.

The Dutch driver debuted with Red Bull’s defunct Scuderia Toro Rosso junior team in 2015 at 17, becoming the youngest driver to start a Grand Prix. The driver showcased exceptional craft from the outset, finishing 5th at the season opener in Australia and securing 3rd at the Chinese Grand Prix.

His mature, aggressive, and calculated style earned him immediate recognition, and he was promoted to Red Bull Racing in 2016. Here, he won his first race with the team in Spain, making him the youngest-ever Grand Prix winner. Over the next four years, Verstappen developed a controversial reputation for his over-aggressive tactics.

He earned the nickname “Mad Max” due to his frequent crashes and what was considered to be reckless behaviour. However, his confidence and instinct were undeniable, and in time, he matured into a well-rounded driver. Between 2021 and 2024, Verstappen amped up his campaign to be the F1 GOAT, winning four consecutive world championships.

Verstappen’s Statistical Dominance

If we’re going to determine the answer to “Is Max Verstappen the GOAT?”, we first have to look at his statistics. As of the 2025 season, he has secured 116 podiums, matching Michael Schumacher’s record with a single team— Verstappen for Red Bull and Schumacher for Ferrari.

In addition to being the youngest Grand Prix winner, he holds several other records, including the most podium finishes in a single season, with 21 earned from 22 races in 2023. With 10 consecutive wins that year, he also has the record for consecutive wins, and shares the record for most consecutive pole positions with Ayrton Senna (8).

In 2023, he also scored the record for the most points in a single F1 season, with his 575 points beating his own record of 454 points scored the previous year. Over his 10-year career, Verstappen has earned 65 race wins, 43 pole positions, and 34 fastest laps.

Analysing Verstappen’s Technical Skill

There are few, if any, current drivers who can claim to have the same level of technical prowess as Max Verstappen. Having proved that he does not need to rely heavily on team engineers, Max has demonstrated a keen understanding of vehicle dynamics and communicates with Red Bull’s technical staff to refine their vehicles.

He’s demonstrated a deep knowledge of tire management and energy recovery systems and instinctively adjusts his driving style based on changing track conditions. This adaptability indicates his status as a GOAT F1 driver. Whether it’s a street circuit or high-speed track, Verstappen is quick to discover the track’s limits and get the best performance from the car.

Whether in qualifying or race conditions, Verstappen is renowned for setting quick lap times late into a Grand Prix when others are conserving fuel or tires. Other indicators of his technical prowess include his precise spatial awareness and reflexes, allowing him to make thrilling overtakes without making contact. Of course, his Senna-like mastering of wet conditions has him one to back in rainy weather at F1 betting apps.

One important detail to understand is Verstappen’s winning mindset. Off the track, he keeps a low profile, avoiding the traps of fame to remain disciplined and focused. He is known for his calm and rational response in the face of high pressure and is quick to find solutions in difficult situations.

How Verstappen Compares Against Other GOATs

To determine fairly who the greatest of all time is, one must look to the other iconic drivers who have excelled in Formula 1. His closest rival of the modern era is Lewis Hamilton, who, with seven world titles, was long considered to be the sport’s best driver. However, since 2021, Verstappen has continued to outperform him.

Although Hamilton holds the record for the most wins at 105, he has raced seven more seasons than Verstappen. It’s very possible that Verstappen could break this record in time. Another contender for the F1 GOAT title is Michael Schumacher. Revered for his dominance of the sport in the early 2000s, Schumacher shared similar intense tendencies to Verstappen.

Setting countless records that have since been broken, Schumacher remains a fan favorite. However, an argument could be made that Schumacher raced in a less competitive arena than Verstappen and Hamilton. Another close comparison can be made with Ayrton Senna, who was beloved for his charisma, fearlessness, and beautiful understanding of his machine.

Unfortunately, Senna died before completing his 11th season, but his stats were very similar to Verstappen’s at this stage in his career. However, Verstappen’s comparative stats have him slightly ahead of Senna, and while he may not share the same mystique, he has the skills to match.

Verstappen’s 2025 Season Performance

The answer to “Is Max Verstappen the GOAT?” has been muddled by the 2025 season so far. Red Bull no longer enjoys a dominant technical advantage over its competitors, with McLaren now ahead and Mercedes not far behind. However, Verstappen has still delivered, with wins in Australia, Belgium, and Singapore, and no finish lower than P5.

His stiffest competition comes from Australia’s Oscar Piastri and England’s Lando Norris, though Verstappen’s strategic race management has kept him one to watch. His adaptability, experience, and deep knowledge are also unrivaled on the track, and if he can remain consistent, he may just emerge to be a frontrunner down the line.

Verstappen’s Impact on the Sport

Max Verstappen has been instrumental in re-establishing Red Bull Racing as one of Formula 1’s dominant teams. Red Bull has been a bookmaker favorite since 2021 due to Verstappen’s reliable input and performance, helping them to attract major sponsors and some of the world’s best engineering talent.

His record-breaking streaks have been central to boosting global interest in F1, helping the sport to establish its highest-ever viewing figures. Additionally, his rivalry with Lewis Hamilton has been a key storyline in Netflix’s “Drive to Survive” series, and his recent battles with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are setting the stage for thrilling storylines in the future.

Looking Ahead

Considering the fact that Verstappen is only 27 years old, he has plenty of room to grow to secure his title as the GOAT of F1. His contract with Red Bull will run through to 2028, and he has expressed no interest in slowing down or retiring anytime soon.

He has already outpaced a swathe of F1 legends in a range of metrics, and holds several records that are unlikely to be beaten while he’s still racing. If he manages to secure four more championships, he will beat the records held by Hamilton and Schumacher, and there will be no doubt of his status as the best ever driver.

So will Max Verstappen become the GOAT? It depends on who you ask. Some would say that only time will tell, with his next great test being how he fares against emerging contenders such as Norris and Piastri. Others would argue that he has already secured his place, setting a record that will be extremely difficult to surpass.

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