Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner waved the chequered flag at the 2024 F1 season finale in Abu Dhabi, stepping into a realm few athletes outside motorsport ever experience. Yet, his moment of honor sparked an even bolder conversation: comparisons to F1 champion Max Verstappen.

While Sinner dismissed the notion, citing his relatively short time at the top compared to Verstappen’s four consecutive titles, former Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo didn’t hesitate to rank Sinner among the best.Montezemolo, in an interview with Radio GR Parlamento, drew parallels between Sinner’s dominance in tennis and Verstappen’s prowess on the track. “There are the great champions, and then there are the special champions like Sofia Goggia, Federica Pellegrini, or Jannik Sinner. In F1, Verstappen has always been exceptional—even from his karting days,” he remarked.

Montezemolo also praised Verstappen for clinching the 2024 F1 title despite a car that was, at times, outperformed by McLaren and Ferrari—a testament to his unmatched skill.Though Sinner humbly distanced himself from such comparisons, he acknowledged a shared value with Verstappen: prioritizing life beyond sports. Reflecting on a recent conversation with Verstappen, Sinner said, “He told me he doesn’t chase other drivers’ records because he loves being with his family. We’re athletes, but we’re also people.”Sinner’s 2024 season was nothing short of extraordinary, capturing two Grand Slam titles (Australian Open and US Open) and the ATP Finals crown. As he prepares to defend his titles, the Italian enters the new season as the world number one.

Whether or not he agrees with Montezemolo, one thing is clear—Sinner’s trajectory is drawing parallels with some of the greatest champions, including Verstappen.