Max vs. Senna? Coulthard picks his ultimate F1 legend
David Coulthard has finally answered the burning question: Who’s better – Max Verstappen or Ayrton Senna?
After weighing both champions carefully, the former McLaren driver ultimately picked the Brazilian legend over the current world champion.
“The reason I say that is because, if I’m not mistaken, I’ve even heard Max acknowledge his admiration for what Ayrton achieved in that era — and his single-minded approach,” Coulthard explained while chatting on the Red Flags podcast.
“If he believed in something, he was never swayed from it. Senna was not without controversy, just as Schumacher wasn’t either.”
Coulthard’s personal connection to Senna clearly influenced his decision.
“Having worked with Senna, having experienced being in a room where everything fell silent because Ayrton had walked in through a back door and was suddenly standing there, you slowly but surely felt his presence.”
It was a feeling unlike anything he’d experienced before.
“I’m not a spiritual person — he was — but that’s the only time in my life where I felt someone’s presence before I even saw them.”
That said, Coulthard has tremendous respect for Verstappen’s down-to-earth nature compared to Senna’s almost mystical aura.
“Based on my personal experience, Max is far more grounded. He’s great, of course, and will continue to do amazing things.”
## Hamilton vs. Verstappen debate also settled
Before landing on Senna as his ultimate choice, Coulthard faced another tough decision – choosing between Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.
Surprisingly, he eliminated the seven-time world champion from contention.
Coulthard ultimately preferred the Dutch driver over Hamilton, though he didn’t elaborate on all his reasons in this interview.
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