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To most F1 fans worldwide, Ayrton Senna is the greatest driver in the history of the sport. Having started his career with Toleman back in 1984, the Brazilian went on to enjoy one of the most historic careers F1 has ever seen, claiming 41 wins and 80 podiums with Lotus and McLaren.
Senna won his three world championships with McLaren in 1988, 1990 and 1991, showing brilliant driving skills and speed, including an aggressive rivalry with four-time champion Alain Prost. Nicknamed ‘Rain Master’ for his mastery in the car during wet-weather conditions, hardly anyone has matched or overcome the achievements of Senna.
But F1 has found the next Senna ‘without us all realising it’, according to Michael Bleekemolen.
In 2024, Max Verstappen became only the sixth driver in F1 history to win four world championships as he beat Lando Norris to the title by 63 points to grab his fourth consecutive crown.
The Dutchman claimed his first championship in 2021 after a dramatic battle with Lewis Hamilton ended in controversial fashion on the last lap in Abu Dhabi. Since then Verstappen has been dominant in the ground effect era at Red Bull, winning 15 races in 2022 and an astonishing 19 out of 22 races the following year.
The records tumbled for Verstappen in 2024 as he drew level with Senna’s record of successive pole positions. Bleekemolen believes the ‘special’ 27-year-old became the next Senna without people really realizing it, the Dutchman told the RacingNews365 YouTube channel.
“I think that’s what’s special was of course the first time (2021) and without us all realising it we have a kind of Senna because it is special that we have someone become world champion four times and a Dutchman at that.
“I do not know if this is the most special – 2024 – but the first time was of course unique, how it went with the last lap with Hamilton, so that was the best.”
Going into the 2025 season, F1 will want to see him in such form since Red Bull do not have the quickest car out there; this puts pressure on the team too as they will be bringing in their own PU when the new technical regulations kick in, in 2026, in collaboration with Ford.
The uncertainty over the engine, however has thrown up a number of questions over whether the Dutchman could leave Red Bull. Verstappen is contracted until 2028 but supposed clauses in his deal could allow him to go before that.
Robert Doornbos thinks 2025 will be Verstappen’s last at Red Bull because he says the 27-year-old will want to be with a ‘major manufacturer’ rather than a team who are just starting off with their own engine.
Of late, Verstappen has been mentioned a lot alongside Mercedes as talk of him and his destiny with Red Bull continues doing the rounds, and such a sensational move might occur if Verstappen finds himself out of the ballpark in Milton Keynes come the end, with George Russell out of contract in 2025.
