Credit: REUTERS/Claudia Greco
[Saba Sports News] Dating back to the inaugural British F1 Grand Prix in 1950, close to 800 drivers have taken part in Formula One competitions, with 34 of them claiming the prestigious World Championship title. Recently, three-time F1 World Champion Max Verstappen shared his personal picks for the five greatest F1 drivers in an interview with the media. His list includes seven-time champion Michael Schumacher; the late Brazilian motorsport legend Ayrton Senna; the competitive Fernando Alonso, who continues to race at age 43; Lewis Hamilton, on the verge of a move to Ferrari; and Juan Manuel Fangio, F1’s pioneering five-time world champion. Verstappen expressed his desire to compete alongside these icons if given the opportunity. However, Verstappen’s choice of Fernando Alonso drew suspects from some fans due to Alonso’s relatively less impressive record. In response, Verstappen defended his pick, stating that criticism and differing opinions are inevitable. He highlighted Alonso’s authenticity, describing him as a genuinely kind person, qualities for which Verstappen holds him in high esteem.