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Verstappen celebrates 26th birthday: Max is ahead of Hamilton and Schumacher
Max Verstappen celebrates his 26th birthday today. As a 17-year-old teenager, he made his debut in Formula 1 and ten years later, the Dutchman stands 'lonely at the top' in the king class of motorsport. No one can match Verstappen's performance and a third world title seems to be in the making. He is therefore still on course to add the record of most world titles to his name in the future.
Verstappen currently stands on two world titles, but a third is in the making. At the Qatar Grand Prix weekend, the Dutchman can thus secure a third championship in a row. But that does not seem to be the end in sight, as he is in a good position to win more titles in the coming years.
Schumacher and Hamilton were older
If we compare Verstappen, with other drivers who achieved multiple world titles in Formula 1, we may conclude that the Dutchman is still younger to complete the 'hat-trick' at the age of 26 than some of the biggest namess in the sport. Michael Schumacher stood on two world titles when he was 26 years old, and was closer to being 27. The German - together with Lewis Hamilton record holder with seven world titles - then had to wait a while. Only when he was 32 did he win his third World Championship. So Verstappen is already doing this at 26.
Then over to Lewis Hamilton. At the age of 26, the Briton held only one world title, that of 2008 at McLaren. It was only when he was 30 (in 2014) that he captured his third world title. So Verstappen still has quite a few years ahead of him to get on par with Hamilton ánd then pass him.
Juan Manuel Fangio - third on the list in terms of titles with five - was 40 years old when he won his first Formula 1 world title. Alain Prost took his third world title, thus falling between Schumacher and Hamilton.
Vettel younger than Verstappen
Sebastian Vettel already had four (of his four total) world titles under his belt at the age of 26. The German was very successful at a young age with Red Bull Racing, so Verstappen is not the youngest driver ever with three world titles. Nevertheless, he is still very much on course to beat Hamilton and Schumacher's records.