Max Verstappen in comparison with Michael Schumacher after Italian GP F1 “thoughts video games”

Former F1 steward Johnny Herbert has likened Max Verstappen to Michael Schumacher for his or her use of “thoughts video games”.

Verstappen returned to the highest step of the F1 podium on the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday, his first victory since Imola.

The Dutchman dominated the race from pole place, beating McLaren’s Lando Norris by over 19 seconds.

It was a welcome return to kind for Verstappen after an inconsistent run of outcomes.

After the Hungarian Grand Prix, the place he completed ninth, Verstappen declared he wouldn’t win one other F1 race in 2025.

Only a month later, Verstappen stormed to his third victory of the season.

Chatting with Journey Avid gamers, Herbert prompt that Verstappen was enjoying “thoughts video games”.

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“The qualifying efficiency was not a shock as a result of that is what Max does. Max is at all times switched on when that chance comes his manner,” Herbert stated.

“I do know he had commented not so way back earlier than the break, that he most likely wasn’t going to win a race once more this 12 months. That’s the traditional form of factor Michael Schumacher stated together with his thoughts video games, Now it’s Max Verstappen.

“There are occasions that really you and the automotive appear to come back collectively and you’ll be able to get these race wins like he has carried out up to now this 12 months. Monza was that traditional situation. The automotive was good, or ok, McLaren have been barely off the boil like they’ve been at Monza earlier than due to the traits of the automotive.

“It’s most likely higher aerodynamically when it comes right down to utilizing it in medium to excessive pace corners. You do not actually have these there. It is all about blasting down the straights and being as environment friendly and quick as you’ll be able to.

“There was at all times an out of doors probability if somebody acquired it proper then I feel they have been undoubtedly within the struggle they usually have been undoubtedly in a scenario the place they have been going to have the ability to beat McLaren. Throw Max into the situation, there may be at all times going to be that probability.”

Pink Bull ‘listening’ to Verstappen extra

One main issue behind Max Verstappen’s resurgence was his low-downforce setup gamble.

Verstappen ignored the recommendation of Pink Bull technical chief Pierre Wache, choosing much less downforce than prompt.

It labored out as Verstappen clinched pole and the victory, with a dominant efficiency.

“One factor that struck me was that Pink Bull appear to have listened to Max greater than they have been doing earlier than,” Herbert defined.

“It is all based mostly on knowledge and the free observe that they had on Friday after which that is how they got here up with a setup for that Sunday and the technique.

“However there gave the impression to be just a little bit extra emphasis on Max and I like that as a result of I feel that is an important a part of what a driver’s job most likely as soon as was and it is much less so these days.

“As soon as once more it proves {that a} driver’s enter remains to be one thing that is essential. It labored and it labored very effectively. He had just a little little bit of a struggle going into flip one after which after that was mainly it. He managed the race from that time on.

“His qualifying drive was a typical Max on his sport. The best way he did it was merely a ‘Wow’ issue. It was surprising however that is the place that particular Max remains to be a large risk.”