Former Ferrari driver Stefan Johansson has hailed Max Verstappen as the most complete F1 driver he has ever seen. The Swedish veteran put the Red Bull driver above all others, including Ayrton Senna, whom he raced against in the 1980s.
Johansson, who competed in 78 Grands Prix between 1980 and 1991, credited the Dutchman for taking the sport to new competitive heights. While he has witnessed greats from multiple eras, Verstappen’s technical mastery and mental strength stood out above them all.
Speaking to FORMULA 1 Magazine, Johansson said:
“(Max Verstappen is) a fantastic asset to Formula 1. That’s for sure. Max has made a very important contribution to how great the sport is today. He’s provided the entertainment since he entered the sport and is a significant factor.
“Max is still getting better every year,” added the Swede. “I think that he’ll go down in history as the best ever. I’ve driven with and against great drivers, and I find it difficult to compare eras, but for me, he’s the most complete driver I’ve ever seen. Max is so good, almost flawless.”
Ayrton Senna remains one of Formula 1’s most revered names—a three-time champion whose raw pace and fearless commitment defined an era. Verstappen has often been measured against the Brazilian legend, especially given his similar ability to extract lap time beyond the car’s expected limits.
With the 2025 championship still alive, Max Verstappen’s form once again evokes that Senna-like edge under pressure. The Dutchman has made a remarkable comeback post-summer, overcoming a deficit of over 100 points to both McLarens after the Dutch GP. He has now cut that lead to 35 points heading into the final four races.
Lando Norris leads the standings with 357 points, with teammate Oscar Piastri just one point behind on 356. Verstappen sits third on 321, keeping his hopes of a fifth title mathematically alive despite McLaren’s dominant MCL39 package.
Johansson believes that even if Max Verstappen doesn’t win this year, he has “made this championship a lot more interesting.”
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### Adrian Newey Praises Max Verstappen’s Maturity and Ayrton Senna’s Curiosity
Adrian Newey, who worked with Max Verstappen throughout Red Bull’s dominant run, echoed similar sentiments from a different vantage point. The legendary engineer, who moved to Aston Martin earlier this year, credited Verstappen’s growth as both a driver and a professional.
Newey also reflected on Ayrton Senna, another driver he regarded as “outstanding.” During their brief collaboration at Williams in 1994, Senna’s technical understanding stood out.
“He got to the wind tunnel and straight away, he was down on his hands and knees, looking at the back at the rear suspension, spotted that that was a bit different to anything that had been done before, asking all about it. I needed to be on my toes to answer his questions. So I think Ayrton, without doubt, was outstanding.”
That curiosity, Newey said, was a mark of Senna’s genius—one that he now believes echoes, albeit differently, in Max Verstappen’s laser-focused drive.
“Max, now I think, is absolutely outstanding as well. He’s not had the easiest upbringing, I don’t think that’s a secret, but his maturity is amazing.”
Newey’s admiration carries significant weight, given that Verstappen has won all four of his world titles in Red Bull cars built under his technical leadership. Those championships have defined the modern era, just like Senna’s dominance in the early ’90s.
The Dutchman has since moved into third place on the all-time podium list, trailing only Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/f1/news-f1-driver-raced-ayrton-senna-names-max-verstappen-most-complete-driver