Briatore reveals which driver is closest to Schumacher: "Extraordinary things"

Flavio Briatore believes Max Verstappen is the driver closest to Michael Schumacher on the current Formula 1 grid.

The Italian returned to F1 with Alpine in an advisory role last season having been absent following the crashgate scandal that rocked the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.

Briatore was at the helm at Benetton when Schumacher took his first two drivers' titles in 1994 and 1995 and asked by Italian outlet La Stampa which of the current crop is most comparable to the German, Briatore said Verstappen: "He is doing extraordinary things."

"He is currently the only star, like Senna was. We all know how he was. Great in communication and also a nice guy."

New Generation of Formula 1 Drivers

While Verstappen has established himself as a four-time world champion, rookies have flooded the grid, with Kimi Antonelli and Isack Hadjar in particular impressing.

Pointing to the younger talent on the grid, including some that have a number of years of experience under their belts already, Briatore insisted: "It's fantastic.

"These are guys who may not even be allowed to drive, or prefer to use Uber. They attract the attention of their peers, I see that with my son.

"He didn't follow the sport before, but now he watches Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, Kimi... but not our drivers, now that I think about it."