Max Verstappen is hunting a fifth straight F1 title (Image: Getty)
Johnny Herbert has drawn comparisons between former Benetton team-mate and reigning world champion , describing both drivers as the ‘dominant forces’ of their respective organisations.
Schumacher arrived at Benetton in 1991 and quickly established himself as the man to beat. The legendary German racer dominated Martin Brundle, Riccardo Patrese and Jos Verstappen before Herbert arrived to partner him late in the 1994 season.
Herbert won just two races in 1995, while Schumacher claimed his first Drivers’ Championship title, taking nine Grand Prix victories in the process. He had a ruthless streak unlike any other driver and was willing to push the rules and his relationships to the limit in pursuit of F1 glory.
“That’s also what does, he makes sure that whoever his team-mate is, he’s in control of his destiny, just his destiny. Is it ‘s destiny? A little bit, but it’s mainly Verstappen’s. That’s what and Oscar Piastri have got to do at . How do deal with that?
“Well, they’ve got to let it blossom itself. I think at the beginning of the season, they will allow it to happen because there’s no need for them to dictate the result in Australia, China and a couple more races.
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Michael Schumacher was Herbert’s team-mate in 1994 and 1995. (Image: Getty)
“It wouldn’t be good if showed a one-sidedness straight away, and that is where that mental battle starts to come into play. Even if it does start to come into play, I know now that I needed to be stronger than I was with Michael Schumacher, so that’s why I say these things, that strength has to be something that I’ve learnt from Michael.
“I’ve seen it from Verstappen but in a different scenario, and that is where they’ve got something in common. It’s all about them and trying to win that world Drivers’ Championship. The mental strength is going to be the biggest battle for those top drivers.”
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Verstappen has the chance to match one of Schumacher’s most impressive records in 2025, winning five consecutive Drivers’ Championship titles, and the two legendary racers have used similar tactics to get themselves into winning positions on such a consistent basis.
If he is to do so, Verstappen will need to fend off stiff competition from and , both of whom are anticipated to start the 2025 campaign with better machinery and more complete driver pairings.