Red Bull driver Max Verstappen has shrugged off attempts to compare him with former great names from the history of Formula 1.
"I’m not really a fan of being compared to anyone," he told renowned sports journalist Wilfried de Jong in an exclusive interview with Dutch TV broadcaster Ziggo Sport this week.
"I try to keep focusing on myself," he said in reply to being asked if he agreed with suggestions that he was the new Aryton Senna.
"It is nice to hear that people are positive," he responded. "But it’s not something to think too much about. In Formula 1 you can go from hero to zero in a moment."
But that's not to underestimate the size of his youthful ego.
“I always think you have to think of yourself as the best," he replied when asked who the top driver was today. "If you don’t, what’s the point of participating?
"The goal is to be the best and I have to prove it when I get the chance," he insisted. "That’s obviously depended on the car, but hopefully I’m able to prove myself more often."
As the son of Grand Prix driver Jos Verstappen, Max practically grew up in the F1 paddock around some of the iconic names of the sport.
“I was really young, but it was fun," he recalled. "I never really thought about that we were on holiday with the great Michael Schumacher - I was too young, and too busy playing with his son [Mick].
Verstappen admitted to having only limited interest in the history of his sport. Even a picture of two-time champion Jim Clark didn't evoke any recognition from the 20-year-old.
"Guys like Sebastian Vettel love the old cars and bikes, I’m more modern," he said. "I do know a bit about it, but my knowledge doesn’t stretch that far back.
"I know the names, but the really old cars don’t really have my interest. I’d never really have the urge to drive those cars - they’re just too old, too slow.
"Although anything driven on the limit is challenging, it just doesn’t do it for me."
Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
