Formula 1 veteran Johnny Herbert has expressed skepticism regarding Max Verstappen’s public stance of having no interest in surpassing Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher’s seven world title records. Verstappen secured his third consecutive world title in 2023, putting him in an elite group of drivers in the sport’s history.
Despite being just 26 years old and having the potential for a lengthy career, Verstappen has downplayed the significance of breaking records and emphasized his contentment with his current achievements. However, Johnny Herbert, a former F1 driver himself, believes that Verstappen’s public statements might not align with his true ambitions.
Herbert highlights that Verstappen’s exceptional performance in the 2023 season, where he exceeded the coveted 500-point mark and achieved a third consecutive title, indicates a competitive drive and desire for success. Herbert questions whether Verstappen’s public indifference to record-breaking is a strategic move or a genuine sentiment.
Verstappen’s future in Formula 1 remains a topic of intrigue, especially considering his previous hints at the possibility of an early retirement. Whether he actively pursues additional world titles or maintains a more relaxed approach to records, the ongoing narrative around Verstappen’s career adds an element of suspense to the Formula 1 landscape.
Yet Herbert remains confident that isn’t the case. “One of them especially, to get that eighth World Championship and go ahead of Michael. They’re both wanting to do that,” he told Planet F1 when discussing who would come out on top if they were part of the same team.
“Now, the only way you’re able to do that is to be number one. There’s your problem because when it was Senna and Prost, it was a very, very hard thing for Ron Dennis (then McLaren team boss) to be able to control.
“I think they’re both aware that, to win races but, more importantly, a world championship, and both are after that. You can’t control it, whatever you try. Even if you stuck them in different rooms for that weekend, you’d still have issues once they get the helmet on and they get on with their race.
“You’re always going to have those incidents that we saw with both of them – once at McLaren, and once at McLaren and Ferrari when Alain had moved on. I think it’s the same thing with Lewis and Max, you can’t have those two elite drivers in the same team because you can’t manage it.”
