Max Verstappen has firmly established himself as one of the greats in Formula 1, a list often led by Michael Schumacher alongside other legendary figures in the sport’s history. While Verstappen is still an active driver on the F1 grid and Schumacher retired over a decade ago, their career statistics can still be compared—albeit with some considerations.
Verstappen has made 229 race starts so far, with many more expected in the future. Schumacher, on the other hand, started 306 races in total (out of 308 Grand Prix weekends). Comparing their entire careers is challenging, so a more level playing field is created by analyzing their statistics over the first 229 race starts each has made in F1.
### Michael Schumacher vs Max Verstappen
Michael Schumacher debuted in Formula 1 in 1991 at the age of 22, which was considered quite young by the standards of the time. Max Verstappen broke new ground when he entered the sport in 2015, making his debut at the remarkably young age of 17. Since then, Verstappen has climbed quickly to the top of the championship ladder, becoming a formidable force on the grid.
#### Championships (7 vs 4)
In their first 229 race starts, Schumacher won seven world drivers’ titles. His maiden championship came in 1994 with Benetton, followed by another in 1995. Schumacher then joined Ferrari, where he won five consecutive world championships from 2000 to 2004.
Verstappen, meanwhile, has secured four world titles in the same number of starts. His first championship victory came in a dramatic and highly contested 2021 season finale. Since then, he has won the next three consecutive titles and is a strong contender for a fifth championship this year.
#### Wins (84 vs 68)
Schumacher leads in race wins, having claimed victory 84 times in his first 229 races. Verstappen has recorded 68 Grand Prix wins over the same period—an impressive feat but still behind Schumacher’s total.
#### Pole Positions (65 vs 47)
Michael Schumacher also holds an advantage in pole positions, with 65 poles compared to Verstappen’s 47 at this stage in their careers.
#### Podiums (142 vs 123)
Schumacher stood on the podium 142 times, while Verstappen has reached the rostrum 123 times. Verstappen’s most recent podium came at the Mexican Grand Prix.
#### Fastest Laps (69 vs 35)
At the peak of his career, Schumacher set the record for the most fastest laps in Formula 1 history with 77. Even if his last 77 race results are excluded, he still would lead with 69 fastest laps. Verstappen’s tally is 35 fastest laps, roughly half of Schumacher’s figure.
#### Career Points (1248 vs 3344.5)
The points battle tells a different story. Schumacher scored 1,248 points in his first 229 races, whereas Verstappen has amassed an incredible 3,344.5 points. This might suggest a significant lead for Verstappen, but the difference is largely due to changes in the points system. During Schumacher’s era, a race win awarded 10 points, while today’s winner receives 25 points, which inflates the modern tally.
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In summary, both Michael Schumacher and Max Verstappen have exceptional records in their first 229 Formula 1 starts. Schumacher’s dominance in championships, wins, poles, podiums, and fastest laps remains impressive, while Verstappen’s points total and recent performances highlight the evolution of the sport and his status as a modern-day great. As Verstappen continues to compete, the comparison between these two legends will evolve, making their careers a fascinating study for F1 fans worldwide.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/f1/max-verstappen-vs-michael-schumacher-comparing-stats-229-starts
