Ex-Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher believes it’s “obvious” that reigning World Champion Max Verstappen will win a third consecutive title this season, with the Dutchman being in a “league of his own”.
Following Sergio Perez’s sublime win at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, many quickly labelled the Mexican as a real title contender, given that he was able to demonstrate better pace than his team-mate.
This has often been the case at street tracks, with all of Perez’s wins for Red Bull having come on the streets rather than on traditional circuits.
When it comes to a normal racetrack, Verstappen remains far superior, as proven at the Miami Grand Prix.
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Perez was comfortably beaten by Verstappen despite having started on pole, whilst the two-time World Champion qualified ninth.
Verstappen’s pace at the Miami International Autodrome was truly exceptional, with him having lapped faster than Perez even when the Mexican pitted for fresh tyres.
The Dutch driver is just an imperious winner, with Schumacher believing that his childhood had a huge effect on why he is as good as he is.
“Upbringing plays a big role,” Schumacher told ran.de. “I also know his father Jos.
“Max used to only be on the kart track and neglected his school grades as a result. It was even different with my parents.
“Although my mother worked at the kart track, my father really had no interest. He preferred fishing.
“Even later, when Michael and I were in Formula 1, our father was reluctant to be there – a maximum of three to four times per season. It was too stressful for him, too many people, too much traffic.”
With Perez still having not won for Red Bull at a normal venue, it’s difficult to see how he can beat Verstappen to the title.
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Nobody can match Verstappen when it comes to traditional circuits, with Schumacher therefore believing that it’s “too obvious” that the Dutchman is set to become a three-time World Champion this year.
“No, it’s too obvious,” admitted Schumacher, when asked if Verstappen will be fought for the title.
“We saw in Miami that if everything goes normally, Max is in a league of his own, although Sergio Perez is doing well too and is a great teammate.”