Drive to Survive: Verstappen reveals what sets him apart from F1 rivals

Max Verstappen celebrates winning the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix — Photo: © IMAGO

F1 Drive to Survive

Verstappen reveals what sets him apart from F1 rivals

Max Verstappen pinpoints his Formula 1 success on one key aspect

Shay Rogers

Sunday 18 February 2024 04:57

Max Verstappen has become one of just a handful of drivers in Formula 1 history to enter his prime years having already dominated the sport, and has revealed what he thinks is the reason.

It’s Drive to Survive release month – which means that here at GPFans, we’re taking a look back at some of the biggest moments and stories from the show’s history.

Five seasons of chaos have come and gone, and we’re sure to get even more of it when the sixth season drops on 23 February – the last day of Formula 1’s 2024 pre-season test in Bahrain.

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Here is the latest article where our editorial team go harking back to pivotal moments on the amazing docuseries...

Formula 1's next Schumacher?

Max Verstappen enjoys a laugh with friend Lando Norris

Max Verstappen was destined for greatness from the day that Red Bull signed him up to be their future team leader.

Three world championships and 54 race victories later, and he has the sport fearful of another Schumacher or Hamilton-esque period of dominance.

Seamless in qualifying, an inability to make mistakes during the race and a knack of coming out on top of every single on track battle that he engages in cleanly.

The essence of racecraft is rarely summed up completely by one driver – but Verstappen is the closest we have seen to that, regardless of whether he had a rocky first few years with Red Bull.

Verstappen: I'll never give up

Max Verstappen celebrates winning a third Formula 1 world championship

Talking to Netflix in season five of Drive to Survive about his achievements, he outlined his adaptability as one of his traits that he has developed.

“Your ultimate goal in Formula 1 is to win the driver championship,” he said. “You need to be able to adapt. When you need to be aggressive, you need to be aggressive.

“When you need to be smooth, you need to be smooth. When I’m in the car, I’ll never give up.”

We have witnessed Verstappen fail to give up on several occasions – namely at the 2021 Abu Dhabi as he secured his first world championship.

It’s part of what makes him so formidable and means that it is going to take one admirably impressive performance by a driver across the course of a season to beat him.

There are a few names well placed to challenge, with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton names that are always in the hat – but they may have to wait before they have the car to challenge the Dutchman.

Red Bull Max Verstappen Formula 1 Lando Norris Drive to Survive