AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
  • STANDINGS
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
  • STANDINGS
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear

Christian Horner Compares Max Verstappen’s Driving Mastery to Michael Schumacher’s 90s Dominance

Harry Stone by Harry Stone
October 1, 2024
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0
Christian Horner Compares Max Verstappen’s Driving Mastery to Michael Schumacher’s 90s Dominance

SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE - SEPTEMBER 22: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing walks in the Paddock prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore at Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 22, 2024 in Singapore, Singapore. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202409220058 // Usage for editorial use only //

Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing’s team principal, has drawn a striking comparison between Max Verstappen’s remarkable driving abilities and those of F1 legend Michael Schumacher during his early Benetton years in the 1990s. Verstappen’s skill, particularly in handling a car plagued by performance issues, has earned him praise from Horner, who sees echoes of Schumacher’s genius in the Dutch driver.

This season, Red Bull has faced uncharacteristic challenges, especially with the RB20, which has proven to be difficult to manage due to significant handling issues. The car’s disconnection between the front and rear axles has caused inconsistent performance, but Verstappen’s sheer talent has allowed him to mitigate these problems and continue finishing in the top 10. At Monza, despite the car’s performance woes, Verstappen managed to secure a respectable sixth-place finish—maximizing the potential of a difficult situation.

“Max, due to his uncanny ability to drive around problems, has been able to deal with it, whereas it affected Checo much more,” Horner commented, emphasizing how Verstappen’s adaptability has outshone his teammate, Sergio Perez, who has struggled to cope with the car’s issues.

Horner further highlighted how Verstappen’s mastery over the RB20 is reminiscent of Schumacher’s driving style during his Benetton days. Just as Schumacher consistently extracted every ounce of performance from his cars in the early 90s, while others failed to get anywhere near his results, Verstappen is displaying the same level of driving brilliance.

“Almost to the point where, a little like the Benetton in the early 90s, where Michael [Schumacher] could drive that car, but whoever else got in it seemed to really struggle with it,” Horner explained, cementing the parallel between the two drivers’ talents.

At Monza, Red Bull uncovered critical problems when they reduced downforce on the RB20. The front and rear axles weren’t communicating effectively, creating a mismatch in handling that hampered the car’s overall performance. Horner admitted that the team’s simulation tools had significantly misjudged the car’s actual on-track performance.

“We were seeing the size of it in the build-up to Monza. When you took the downforce off the car, it highlighted the disconnection between the front and rear axles, and the numbers we were expecting to see on track were just miles out from where our simulation tools were,” Horner revealed, reflecting the depth of the car’s issues.

With over three weeks until the next race, Red Bull has a critical window of opportunity to refine the RB20’s performance. Currently sitting 41 points behind McLaren in the Constructors’ Championship, the team needs to find a way to close the gap if they are to regain their dominant form and challenge for the title.

As Verstappen continues to prove his worth on the track, his ability to adapt to and overcome technical challenges highlights why many see him as a driver in the mold of Schumacher—poised to dominate the sport for years to come.

Share212Tweet133Send

Related Posts

Max Verstappen’s Red Bull Crisis: Will He Jump Ship to Mercedes?
Motorsports

Max Verstappen’s Red Bull Crisis: Will He Jump Ship to Mercedes?

Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

by Redação
July 3, 2025
Tim Mayer launches audacious challenge against Mohammed Ben Sulayem in FIA presidency showdown!
Motorsports

Tim Mayer launches audacious challenge against Mohammed Ben Sulayem in FIA presidency showdown!

Formula One F1 - Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - April 20, 2025 FIA...

by Carl Harrison
July 3, 2025
Tim Mayer Seeks FIA Presidency: Revenge, Controversy, and McLaren Legacy Clash!
Motorsports

Tim Mayer Seeks FIA Presidency: Revenge, Controversy, and McLaren Legacy Clash!

In a shocking turn of events, the world of motorsport is set abuzz as a new challenger emerges to shake...

by Carl Smith
July 3, 2025
Ferrari’s Sensational Test: New Suspension Shocks Fans in Mugello Filming Day
Motorsports

Ferrari’s Sensational Test: New Suspension Shocks Fans in Mugello Filming Day

Antonin Vincent

by Carl Harrison
July 3, 2025

Recent News

Mobi.E: carregamento de veículos elétricos aumentam 47% em junho

Mobi.E: electric vehicle charging increases by 47% in June.

July 3, 2025
Ford Transit E-Custom agora com tração integral

“Ford Transit E-Custom now with all-wheel drive.”

July 3, 2025
Alpine A290 ganha versão de rali

Alpine A290 gets a rally version.

July 3, 2025
A Xpeng já vendeu mais de 153 mil veículos em 2024

“Xpeng achieves new sales record in June.”

July 3, 2025

Newsletter

  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TECHNICAL INFORMATION
  • EDITORIAL STATUS
  • TERMS AND CONDITIONS

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

No Result
View All Result
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

Enable Notifications OK No thanks