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Comparing two F1 legends, two decades apart

Michael Schumacher and Max Verstappen. Two great Formula 1 drivers with some of the most dominant campaigns in history on their CVs. As Alex Kalinauckas outlines this week, there are a surprising number of parallels between the two multiple champions, as well as a few differences (see page 14).

Verstappen has started 185 world championship grands prix and scored 54 wins (29%) and 32 poles (17%), as well as three titles. At the same point in his career, Schumacher had taken 68 victories (37%) and 54 poles (29%), along with five crowns. Perhaps the biggest difference, though, is that Verstappen is still only 26, while Schumacher was 34 back in 2003. The Dutchman could carry on for a decade or more, which means he’ll be threatening Schuey’s total of 91 wins and Lewis Hamilton’s current 103 benchmark.

Verstappen was one of the winners at last Sunday’s Autosport Awards at Grosvenor House on Park Lane (p22), after you voted him the International Racing Driver of the Year. Another legend – with a similar F1 strike rate – took our Gold Medal accolade, while Ferrari took the Moment of the Year for its stunning Le Mans victory.

As ever, the evening concluded with the crowning of the Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award winner. All four finalists acquitted themselves extremely well in 2023, but congratulations to Joseph Loake for becoming the 34th driver to take the prize, putting his name alongside some illustrious former victors and earning an F1 test drive (p38).

Kevin Turner Chief Editor

kevin.turner@autosport.com

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PIT & PADDOCK 4 How stagnation hit the F1 grid 6 Le Mans tyre warmers to stay 8 Test gives preview of F2 field 11 Opinion: Alex Kalinauckas 13 Opinion: Kevin Turner

FEATURES 14 F1 dominators: Schuey vs Verstappen 40 The first year of IMSA GTP’s return 46 Christmas gift guide

AUTOSPORT AWARDS 22 All the 2023 winners and highlights 38 Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Award

CLUB AUTOSPORT 57 Greensall enters his 100th 2023 race 58 750MC to return to Thruxton 60 Brits star at Caterham Barbados event 61 Opinion: Stephen Lickorish 62 How UK club racing fared in 2023

FINISHING STRAIGHT 70 What’s on this week 72 From the archive: 1950 French GP 74 My favourite car: Jean-Marc Gounon

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BRITAIN’S BEST MOTORSPORT WEEKLY

7 DECEMBER 2023

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SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONHowclubracing fared in 2023

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PLUS Ferrari, Verstappen and Loake scoop big Autosport Awards PLUS Ferrari, Verstappen and Loake scoop big Autosport Awards

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