The 2025 Formula 1 World Championship has so far been dominated by the McLaren pairing of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, who have consistently battled at the front of the standings. However, former Formula 1 driver Christijan Albers believes that the true elite of the current grid lies elsewhere, placing his focus on three different names who, in his view, represent the sport’s most complete and talented competitors.
While McLaren began the season strongly, recent race weekends have exposed some cracks in their form. Both Norris and Piastri have gone three consecutive Grands Prix without a victory — their longest winless stretch of the 2025 campaign. Piastri continues to lead the Drivers’ Championship by 22 points over his teammate, yet the gap to Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen is shrinking rapidly. The reigning world champion sits just 41 points behind Norris, having mounted a strong recovery during McLaren’s recent dip in performance.
Verstappen resurges as McLaren’s momentum fades
After struggling early in the season with a less competitive RB21 car, Verstappen has returned to top form, securing dominant back-to-back wins at Monza and Baku. These victories have reignited his title hopes and reaffirmed his position as one of the sport’s most formidable competitors. Despite Red Bull’s car not being the fastest on the grid, Verstappen has continued to deliver exceptional performances that maximize every bit of potential from his machinery — a quality that many analysts believe defines the very best Formula 1 drivers.
Former world champion Jenson Button has previously described Verstappen as potentially the greatest driver in Formula 1 history, and Albers’ recent comments appear to support that assessment. Yet Albers’ perspective goes beyond Verstappen alone — his “top three” list recognizes a new generation of drivers redefining modern Formula 1 excellence.
Christijan Albers excludes McLaren duo from his 2025 F1 top three
Speaking on De Telegraaf’s Formule 1 Podcast, Christijan Albers outlined his view on which drivers currently set the standard in Formula 1. The former Minardi and Spyker driver identified Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, and George Russell as the three leading talents on the 2025 grid — notably excluding both McLaren drivers despite their current positions at the top of the standings.
Albers suggested that these three competitors possess a combination of precision, race intelligence, and technical understanding that puts them ahead of their peers. The Dutch former professional racing driver reportedly explained that the trio represents a new generation of Formula 1 driver, one that has grown accustomed to operating cars with less front-end grip and vastly different aerodynamic characteristics than those used by previous champions such as Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso. According to Christijan Albers, this shift in driving technique and preparation reflects the evolution of Formula 1 itself — a sport that now demands a more analytical and adaptive approach.
In his assessment, Albers noted that George Russell’s recent performance in Singapore perfectly exemplified the qualities of this new generation, describing it as a display of flawless execution and mental composure under pressure. He also emphasized that both Leclerc and Verstappen possess an extraordinary ability to extract performance from imperfect machinery — a hallmark of true championship-level drivers.
George Russell’s Singapore masterclass draws praise across the paddock
During the recent Singapore Grand Prix, George Russell showcased his skill with a commanding drive on the Marina Bay Street Circuit, taking pole position on Saturday and converting it into his second victory of the season. The British driver led from the opening lap and controlled the race with poise, managing tyre degradation and safety car restarts to perfection. After 62 laps under the lights of Marina Bay, Russell crossed the line to claim his fifth career win in Formula 1.
His performance drew widespread acclaim, including comparisons to Max Verstappen from 1996 World Champion Damon Hill, who described the race as “Verstappenesque” — a term now synonymous with total dominance and clinical precision. The comparison was echoed throughout the paddock, as many analysts pointed to Russell’s ability to maintain calm and consistency on one of the toughest tracks of the season.
Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff also praised Russell’s drive, reportedly describing him as “unstoppable” as he watched from the pit wall. Wolff later admitted that the team had already been in advanced talks with Russell about extending his contract beyond the current season, hinting that an official announcement could arrive within weeks. The team sees Russell as a cornerstone for Mercedes’ future, particularly as the sport approaches the 2026 regulation overhaul.
The generational shift in Formula 1’s elite
Albers’ comments reflect a broader shift taking place in Formula 1. The sport’s competitive landscape is increasingly defined by a younger generation of drivers who combine raw speed with advanced technical insight. While veterans like Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso remain highly competitive, the dynamic trio of Verstappen, Leclerc, and Russell appears to represent the future of Formula 1 leadership — drivers capable of adapting to evolving car philosophies, data-driven strategies, and relentless development cycles.
By excluding Piastri and Norris from his personal ranking, Albers effectively suggested that experience and adaptability still play a crucial role in defining true greatness. Though McLaren’s duo lead the championship, their recent performances have demonstrated how challenging it can be to maintain form across an entire season against seasoned competitors like Verstappen and Russell.
Conclusion: a new era of Formula 1 excellence
As the 2025 Formula 1 season continues, Christijan Albers’ assessment provides an intriguing insight into how the sport’s insiders view the current driver hierarchy. His recognition of Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, and George Russell as the definitive top three drivers on the grid underscores not only their natural talent but also their ability to thrive amid constant technological and strategic change. With Russell and Verstappen pushing each other to new heights and Leclerc continuing to extract every ounce of performance from Ferrari’s evolving package, the remainder of the season promises a compelling battle among the sport’s brightest stars.
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