Max Verstappen has looked back fondly on his ‘lovely’ memories of Michael Schumacher, explaining that he knew the legendary seven-time world champion as ‘Uncle Michael’ thanks to his father’s close relationship with his former team-mate.
Jos Verstappen was team-mates with Schumacher at Benetton as the German racer navigated the early years of his iconic F1 career, but the pair stayed in contact after the Dutchman departed and joined Simtek for the 1995 campaign.
This means that, during the early years of Verstappen’s childhood, Schumacher was a regular presence in his life. Reminiscing with Blick, he was reminded of a photo taken with the Ferrari legend in the pit lane when he was five years old.
“A lovely memory with pictures and videos,” Verstappen replied. “Because my father Jos was Schumacher’s team-mate at Benetton in 1994, the families knew each other for many years afterwards. We even spent a few holidays together. I knew him as Uncle Michael.”
Asked how he remembered the seven-time world champion as a driver, he added: “He was a driver who worked tirelessly and gave his all. For him, only victory counted, no matter how it was achieved. On the track, he was completely focused, just like me. But at home, he took care of his family and gave them the attention they deserved.”
Aged just 28, Verstappen is already on course to hunt down Schumacher’s records, many of which were surpassed by the sport’s only other seven-time world champion, Lewis Hamilton, during the turbo-hybrid era.
However, despite having 72 Grand Prix victories and four World Championships to his name, Verstappen is not laser-focused on knocking down records and chasing down the only two names above him in the record books.
Asked if there were parallels between himself and the German legend, he replied: “Yes, on the track and in my private life. But after more than 230 races, my goal is definitely not to chase seven world championship titles.
“For me, there is nothing more important than my family and my children. They are the motivation that you can only get within your own four walls.”
In fact, Verstappen has teased that he could quit F1 altogether before the end of his prime. The Dutchman is out of contract at the end of the 2028 season and hopes to compete in an array of endurance races while still at the height of his powers.
“I’m 28 now, and I have a contract with Red Bull until 2028,” he explained. “I want to fulfil that contract. At this point in time, I’m ruling out a change of team. It’s a shame that my friend and mentor Helmut Marko won’t be at my side in 2026. I’ll miss him.”