Max Verstappen plays down Michael Schumacher comparisons

The 22-year-old was recently likened to Schumacher by F1 managing director Ross Brawn in his formula1.com column. "He reminds me of Michael Schumacher in many ways," said Brawn of the Dutchman, before adding: "I remember Max's early days in Formula 1 where his speed was clear — he has now matured into an exceptional racing driver." Speaking to CNN's Amanda Davies, Verstappen said: "It was of course very nice but I don't like to compare myself to anyone because I'm myself and I'm a different driver."Of course, you can always get some similar attitudes or whatever, or you can get compared sometimes but, from my side, I never do that. I just want to be myself." Aged 17 and 166 days, Verstappen became the youngest driver in F1 history when he competed in the 2015 Australian Grand Prix. Over the years he has, he said, matured as a driver. "[I'm] more relaxed, more consistent and know how to build up a weekend and stuff like that," he added. "I just feel very comfortable … I'm a very relaxed person anyway so, for me, it was never really super high pressure, but I am more relaxed in a way that I know what's coming. "I have experienced a lot already so going to a weekend, I mean, I'm excited to be racing, but I don't get excited a lot by other stuff surrounding it because you've experienced so many different emotions throughout the whole weekend and the year." The Dutch driver's victory at Silverstone was the ninth of his career, but crossing the finishing line still excites him. "Winning is a good one," he said. "A good qualifying lap might excite me. Just being around the team and working with the mechanics, and also when they pull off a really good pitstop, it's a great feeling as well."

Title challenge on?

Verstappen finished ahead of Mercedes duo Lewis Hamilton and Valterri Bottas in sweltering conditions last Sunday. Heading into this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix, Verstappen is second in the standings for the drivers' championship — 30 points behind world champion Hamilton. But such has been the dominance of Mercedes so far during this 13-race season — the team leads second-place Red Bull in the constructor standings by 67 points — the Red Bull driver did not expect to be mounting a title challenge in the remaining eight races. "So far we've had one race where we were, maybe, the fastest car, but all the other ones we weren't, so we just have to stay realistic at the moment," said Verstappen, speaking from Barcelona. "From my side, I'm not thinking about a possible championship at the moment. I just want to try and do the best I can every single weekend." READ: Susie Wolff says Lewis Hamilton's criticism of F1 is 'absolutely valid'

Fighting for equality

The 2020 F1 season began in July at the Austrian Grand Prix, four months later than planned because of the coronavirus pandemic. Since the restart drivers have joined F1's "We Race As One" initiative to fight racism and promote equality and inclusion. But Verstappen is one of several drivers to choose not to kneel before races in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.Posting on Twitter before the first race,Read More – Source

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