Ex-F1 Team Boss Declares Max Verstappen Has ‘Same Genes’ as Michael Schumacher

Franz Tost shockingly claimed that Max Verstappen and Michael Schumacher had the same genes when it came to Formula 1.

Ex-F1 Team Boss Declares Max Verstappen Has ‘Same Genes’ as Michael Schumacher

Max Verstappen and Michael Schumacher (via IMAGO)

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Max Verstappen has emerged as one of the greatest drivers in the modern era of Formula 1. The Dutchman has left no stone unturned to showcase his racing prowess on the track. Apart from being a four-time consecutive champion and counting, Verstappen is maximizing results despite running in a highly inferior chassis with Red Bull. Now, ex-F1 team boss Franz Tost draws a parallel between the 27-year-old and F1 legend Michael Schumacher.

Franz Tost was closely linked to Michael Schumacher‘s manager back in the 1990s, Willi Weber, and thus had witnessed a good chunk of the driver’s career. Tost then went on the lead Toro Rosso (currently Racing Bulls) for over one and a half decades. His extended time in Formula 1 meant that he even witnessed Max Verstappen and his quick promotion to Red Bull from Toro Rosso mid-way through the 2016 season.

Now, Max Verstappen is a four-time reigning world champion and is loved by many in the Formula 1 community. The Dutchman has showcased resilience and has not let the performance struggles with the team define his results this season. As such, Verstappen has equaled, if not broken a majority of records that Michael Schumacher previously held in Formula 1.

Franz Tost asserted that both Michael Schumacher and Max Verstappen had the ‘same genes’, especially when it came to racing in Formula 1. Moreover, Tost added that drivers who put in efforts and worked hard for performing better, often exceled on track, to which Verstappen was no stranger. However, others who did not put in much effort can forget the taste of victory and what it felt like to witness such highs in their F1 career.

They both have the same genes. You can already see this with young drivers. Those who put in effort, go further; the others can forget it.

Franz Tost said on ServusTV

Franz Tost reveals what makes Max Verstappen ‘stand out’ in F1

Max Verstappen skipped multiple junior motorsport categories and was promoted to Formula 1 at 17 years of age, making him the youngest ever to join the sport. Verstappen quickly learnt the ropes of the sport and moved to Red Bull mid-way through the 2016 season, replacing Daniil Kvyat back then. As such, the former Toro Rosso team principal, Franz Tost saw all these events unfold with his very eyes.

Max Verstappen winning the 2025 Italian GP (via Red Bull)
Max Verstappen winning the 2025 Italian GP (via Red Bull)

Franz Tost revealed that during a test at Fiorano, Max Verstappen only cared about the car setup and nothing else, which was very similar to Michael Schumacher and his style. As such, Tost insisted that this was indeed the distiniguishing factor in performance for Verstappen. Since then, the Dutchman has continued to achieve immense success and have a great understanding of the car, just like Schumacher.

He only cared about the car’s setup. In Fiorano, they let him do laps to test the durability of the engine, and so on. He only cared about the setup because he knew that was the distinguishing factor in performance. That’s why they’re so successful. They fully understand the car.

Franz Tost added

The 2025 season has been difficult in terms of winning for Max Verstappen, but he has still achieved three coveted victories, with the most latest one being a record-shattering performance. Hence, Red Bull needs to improve their car, as Verstappen is ready to return to his dominant ways as soon as the pace improves. Now, time will tell about how the coming years pan out for the Red Bull ace as he hopes to retire with the same team.

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