Red Bull's Christian Horner: Max Verstappen closing in on Formula 1 greatness

Red Bull boss Christian Horner has lauded Max Verstappen's prowess, placing him in the esteemed company of Formula 1 legends Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna.

Verstappen's relentless dominance in the ongoing 2023 F1 season has seen him triumph in a staggering 10 out of the initial 12 Grands Prix, with an extraordinary streak of eight consecutive victories.

The Dutch dynamo is firmly on the path to clinch his third F1 championship, a feat that would align him with Senna's record.

Verstappen, already having eclipsed Senna's win tally earlier this season, is now a mere six triumphs away from equalling Prost's remarkable 51 victories.

Despite his incredible accomplishments, the two-time champion has often downplayed their significance, attributing them to the increased number of races in the modern F1 era.

Nonetheless, as Verstappen aspires to etch his name among the sport's greatest, Horner asserted in an interview with media, that his prodigious driver is unequivocally carving out a legacy as an all-time legend.

"When evaluating drivers, comparing across generations remains an arduous task. Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost, both revered in the annals of the sport," Horner commented during the interview. "I firmly believe that Max is swiftly ascending into that echelon. Comparing drivers from disparate eras is always a formidable undertaking."

Horner nostalgically recounted the legendary rivalry between Prost and Senna, a seismic clash etched in the annals of F1 history.

"Their rivalry sparked fierce battles," Horner reminisced. "Managing two alpha personalities was undoubtedly a challenging task, and I observed it from the sidelines with great interest."

However, Horner disclosed his personal allegiance during that era: "I was an ardent supporter of Britain's Nigel Mansell, fondly known as 'our Nige.' It was a phenomenal era of racing. Unfortunately, Nigel grappled with an uncompetitive car in 1988, but the spectacle was truly remarkable."

As Formula 1 takes a breather during the summer hiatus, fans eagerly await its return for the Dutch Grand Prix on 28 August at Circuit Zandvoort.