‘He has just annihilated them’: Max Verstappen is outperforming his team-mates in a way not seen since Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna, according to Jenson Button – as he admits he would love to see Dutchman battle Lewis Hamilton for F1 world title
- Jenson Button praised how Max Verstappen is outperforming his team-mates
- The former F1 driver compared him to Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna
- Verstappen finished ahead of team-mate Alexander Albon in each race this year
- Button said he would like to see the Dutchman battle Lewis Hamilton for the title
Max Verstappen is outperforming his team-mates to a level not seen since Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna, according to former Formula One driver Jenson Button.
Verstappen has consistently finished above his team-mates in the F1 rankings. He has out-qualified and finished ahead of fellow Red Bull driver Alexander Albon in all six races this year.
The last time the Dutchman was beaten in the standings by one of his team-mates was when he was paired with Daniel Riccardio in 2017 – and he still out-qualified the driver 13-7.
Jenson Button hailed Max Verstappen for annihilating his team-mates in the last two years
The Dutchman has finished above team-mate Alexander Albon (left) in every race this year
Former F1 driver Jenson Button has been hugely impressed by the 22-year-old’s head-to-head record and compared it to the achievements of the legendary Schumacher and Senna.
‘You compare him to his teammates the last two years, he has just annihilated them,’ Button told the In the Fast Lane Podcast.
‘I haven’t seen that in motorsport for a very long time, probably back to the Ayrton Senna days, and Michael Schumacher days. I don’t think there’s been a driver that’s annihilated their teammate like he has in a very long time.’
Button compared Verstappen’s performances to that of the legendary Michael Schumacher
Button also compared the 22-year-old’s record against his team-mates to Ayrton Senna’s
Button also said he would love to see Verstappen battle Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton for the F1 title, but believes the lack of competition from his team-mates could hold him back.
‘He is doing an exceptional job. I would love to see him go up against Lewis [Hamilton] in a championship fight. Those two, top of their game, it’s what we all want to see. Is it ever going to happen? I don’t know.
‘It’s tough for [Max], because now he doesn’t have a competitive teammate.
‘He’s out on his own. He’s probably not able to progress as much because his teammate isn’t where he is at, in terms of pace.’
The former driver said he would like to see Verstappen battle Lewis Hamilton for the F1 title