The extent of Max Verstappen's close bond with Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher will emerge in the latest season of 'Drive to Survive'.
It's not unusual for the hit Netflix series to shed new light across the world of F1, with the latest instalment set to show unseen snaps of Schumacher holding Verstappen before he could walk, let alone drive. The seven-time world champion can be seen in one photo cradling the future Red Bull star in his arms alongside infant daughter Gina-Maria, while another shows toddler-age Verstappen looking up to family friend 'Schumi'.
Verstappen—who has won the last two F1 world championships—shares history with the Schumachers after his father, Jos, formed a relationship with Michael during their 1994 season together at Benetton. The fourth episode of the new season, titled 'Like Father, Like Son?', even features a clip of the two fathers talking about their sons one day racing against one another in F1, which Michael suggested could be "the first time we have an argument."
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The icon's son, Mick, realised that dream with Haas but will start this season as a reserve driver for Mercedes following his release from the American manufacturer. Verstappen, on the other hand, is seeking to join exclusive company with a third straight championship, and the Dutchman reflected on his shared history with arguably F1's most famous family.
"We used to go on holidays when we were little together, the two families, and these kind of memories will stay with me," Verstappen told The Sun. "For both of us to be in F1 is amazing and also for Michael, he's a very proud dad for sure."
The episode comes with extra emotional charge given Schumacher Sr. no longer makes public appearances, almost a decade on from his tragic skiing accident. The German was skiing in the French Alps with son Mick when he suffered major head trauma following a fall in December 2013.
Updates on his condition these days are few and far between, making the insight like that shown in Drive to Survive that much more special. The former Ferrari marvel was once the dominant force in his field and still holds the joint-record for most world championships alongside Lewis Hamilton (seven).
The fifth season of Drive to Survive will cover a difficult campaign for Mick, which will conclude with the 23-year-old's release from full-time duty at Haas. He'll remain a part of this season's grid after being recruited by the Silver Arrows, but the heir to the Schumacher throne will be eager to regain a starting place in the near future.
For the time being, at least, it's back-to-back champion Verstappen who is enhancing his family's legacy in the sport in search of a three-peat. Spending so much time around a serial winner like Schumacher as a child can't have hurt his development, having spent much of his formative years in the presence of greatness.
