The top five Formula One drivers with the most Grand Prix wins are Lewis Hamilton, Michael Schumacher, Max Verstappen, Sebastian Vettel, and Alain Pro

It was at a rain-soaked 1998 Belgian Grand Prix that Schumacher, leading comfortably in his Ferrari, hit the back of Coulthard’s McLaren as he came up to lap him, costing Schumacher a wheel and his front wing. But, with both drivers out of the race, the drama had only just begun.

Lando Norris and McLaren are the title favourites heading into the new season after a strong pre-season test in Bahrain, but the Brit will face a number of challengers. One of these could be his team-mate, Oscar Piastri, who won two Grands Prix during his sophomore year and completed every lap over the 24 events.

A lesson from Michael Schumacher ’s aggressive heyday has been handed down to Max Verstappen ’s rivals. Damon Hill fought the mighty Schumacher tooth and nail in the 90s, going wheel-to-wheel on-track but also dealing with his mind games off-track.

A look back at when Lewis Hamilton broke Michael Schumacher's record after a PlayStation session with ex-Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas

There's his friend-turned-rival Max Verstappen's bid for a fifth title in a row. Just like the only driver to achieve that feat, Michael Schumacher, Verstappen is a hard racer who isn't afraid to bend the rules — as Norris knows from bitter experience.

Lewis Hamilton has ambitions to win a record-breaking eighth Formula 1 title but has seen doubt cast on his aspirations since joining Ferrari from Mercedes for the 2025 season