F1 Veteran Who Battled Ayrton Senna says Max Verstappen better

In the high-stakes world of Formula 1, where legends are forged in split-second decisions and unyielding pressure, few endorsements carry the weight of one from a driver who shared the track with Ayrton Senna (pictured). Stefan Johansson, the Swedish racer who lined up against the Brazilian icon in the turbocharged 1980s, has no hesitation in placing Red Bull’s Max Verstappen at the pinnacle of F1 greatness—surpassing even Senna himself.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

Johansson, whose 78 Grands Prix from 1980 to 1991 included stints at Ferrari and McLaren, has witnessed the evolution of the sport across decades. From the raw aggression of Senna to the precision of modern machinery, he’s seen it all.

Johansson told Formule1.NL: “Max is still getting better every year. I think that he’ll go down in history as the best ever. I’ve driven with and against great drivers, and I find it difficult to compare eras. But, for me, he’s 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 racing skills are incredible. He’s ultra-professional and manages races so well. Unbelievable, [he is] just like a machine.”

“Max is a fantastic asset to Formula 1, that’s for sure,” Johansson enthused. “He’s made a very important contribution to how great the sport is today. He’s provided the entertainment since he entered the sport and is a significant factor.”

Senna, the three-time world champion whose pole positions and rain-soaked masterclasses remain etched in F1 lore, set an impossibly high bar for extracting every ounce of potential from a car. Verstappen, now a four-time title holder (with a fifth potentially in sight), invites inevitable comparisons—not just for his ability to defy physics on the limit, but for that same aura of inevitability under duress.

As the 2025 season barrels toward its climax, Verstappen’s resurgence embodies that Senna-esque fire. After a summer slump that left him over 100 points adrift of McLaren’s duo following the Dutch Grand Prix, the 28-year-old has clawed back to within 35 points of leader Lando Norris (357) and Oscar Piastri (356). Sitting on 321, Verstappen’s charge in Red Bull’s less-than-dominant RB21 has reignited the title fight, with four races remaining. Even if the crown eludes him this year, Johansson insists, “He’s made this championship a lot more interesting.”

Echoes of Senna: Adrian Newey’s Take on Verstappen’s Genius

Few understand the alchemy of driver and machine like Adrian Newey, the design maestro behind Red Bull’s title-winning cars—and Williams’ ill-fated 1994 FW16 that Senna piloted in his final, tragic season. Now at Aston Martin, Newey draws parallels between the two icons, highlighting their shared thirst for understanding.

Recalling Senna’s first visit to Williams’ wind tunnel in late 1993, Newey marveled at the Brazilian’s inquisitiveness via Crash.net: “He got to the wind tunnel and straight away, he was down on his hands and knees, looking at the back at the rear suspension, spotted that that was a bit different to anything that had been done before, asking all about it… I needed to be on my toes to answer his questions. So I think Ayrton, without doubt, was outstanding.”

Verstappen, Newey notes, channels a similar intensity, albeit shaped by a tougher upbringing and the glare of modern F1. “Max, now I think, is absolutely outstanding as well,” he said. “He’s not had the easiest upbringing, I don’t think that’s a secret, but his maturity is amazing.” Those words ring especially true after four championships delivered under Newey’s guidance, propelling Verstappen to third on the all-time podiums list, behind only Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton.

A Chorus of Acclaim: What Fellow Drivers Say About Verstappen

Johansson and Newey aren’t outliers in their reverence for Verstappen. Across the F1 paddock—past and present—drivers have heaped praise on the Red Bull star, often framing him as a generational talent whose raw speed is matched only by his composure and adaptability.

Four-time champion Sebastian Vettel, who handed Verstappen his own record for most consecutive wins in 2025, has been disarmingly candid. Before the Dutchman eclipsed his mark, Vettel pulled him aside and said, “You’re better than me.” More recently, the German icon declared on Sky Sports F1, “You cannot compare Max Verstappen to anyone.” It’s a nod to Verstappen’s singular blend of aggression and precision that defies easy benchmarks.

Two-time champion Fernando Alonso, ever the benchmark for longevity and grit, has echoed the sentiment amid 2025’s McLaren dominance. “Only he can do it,” Alonso said of Verstappen’s ability to challenge the papaya pair in an inferior car. He even speculated that Verstappen could be title-contending in a midfield machine like Racing Bulls’. Back in 2022, Alonso went further, arguing Verstappen’s championships hold “more value” than Hamilton’s seven, earned in an era of parity rather than outright superiority.

Even from the Iceman himself, 2007 champion Kimi Räikkönen, comes warmth. After clashing on track early in Verstappen’s career, Räikkönen softened: “I’ve talked with him a few times and he’s a great guy, I really like him. We also raced against each other.” Following Verstappen’s breakthrough 2016 Spanish GP win—snatched from Räikkönen’s grasp—the Finn called the young prodigy’s pace “scary,” a backhanded compliment laced with respect.

Rivals turned teammates offer intimate insights too. McLaren’s Lando Norris, locked in a fierce 2025 duel, gushed in 2022: “He’s one of the most talented drivers ever to come into Formula 1, one of the fastest.” And 2009 champion Jenson Button, a neutral observer, has twice elevated Verstappen to the elite: labeling him the “most naturally talented driver” he’s seen in 2022, then in July 2025 proclaiming, “He’s probably the best racing driver that’s ever raced in a Formula One car.”

Former Red Bull teammate Daniel Ricciardo, who mentored Verstappen in their Toro Rosso days, reflects on his evolution with pride. “There’s a general level of maturity. Surviving in the sport as long as we have, there’s a respect,” Ricciardo noted in 2024, crediting his own influence on the champion’s poise. After Verstappen’s fourth title, Ricciardo sent a heartfelt message: a testament to their enduring bond.

In Verstappen, F1 doesn’t just have a driver—it has a phenomenon who unites eras, from Senna’s shadow to tomorrow’s grid. As Johansson put it, almost flawless. The paddock agrees.