Stefan Johansson, who raced for Ferrari and McLaren against Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost in the 1980s, believes the best Formula 1 driver ever hails from the Netherlands. “Max Verstappen finds half-tenths that aren’t there,” says the Swedish former racer.
The Formula 1 season will enter its final stretch next week in Brazil, marking the year 2025. Following the race in São Paulo, a triad of races in Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi will take place two weeks later. World Championship leader Lando Norris and his teammate Oscar Piastri currently hold the best chances for the title. Max Verstappen trails the British driver by 36 points and the Australian by 35.
Stefan Johansson (69, 78 F1 GPs and winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans) didn’t expect Verstappen to play a significant role in the title race after the Dutch GP. The gap with Piastri was 104 points after the dune festival. “It’s too much to say that Max has saved Formula 1 in recent years,” says Johansson. “But he has made this championship a lot more interesting. And who would have thought that?” asks the Swede, who is now a successful artist.
According to him, Verstappen is ‘a great asset to Formula 1’. “That’s for sure. Max has made a significant contribution to how great the sport is today. He has provided the entertainment since he entered the sport and is a major factor.”
Johansson is a big fan of the Dutchman. His driving style, skills, and natural speed: Johansson has never seen all these qualities so perfectly combined in a driver as they are in Verstappen. “Max gets better every year. I think,” says the Swede, “he will go down in history as the best ever. I’ve raced with and against great drivers and find it difficult to compare eras, but for me, he is the most complete driver I’ve ever seen. Max is so good, almost flawless. Even in qualifying: he finds half-tenths that aren’t there. His racecraft is incredible, he is ultra-professional and manages races so well… Unbelievable, just like a machine.”
