For the past five years, Formula 1 fans have been locked in a relentless debate comparing the talents of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen with the legendary Lewis Hamilton. As both drivers continue to write their legacies, it seems inevitable that by the time they retire from the sport, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton will collectively hold almost every major record in Formula 1 history.
Lewis Hamilton remains the only driver to have claimed more than 100 Grand Prix victories, a remarkable feat that has yet to be extended during his tenure at Ferrari. On the other hand, Max Verstappen holds the distinction of being the youngest-ever race winner in Formula 1, a testament to his early talent and rapid rise through the ranks. Fans have witnessed only a single direct championship battle between the two drivers, which took place in the 2021 season, where Verstappen ultimately emerged victorious. Since then, the Dutch driver has been a dominant force in the sport, even coming within just two points of completing what could have been one of Formula 1’s most remarkable comebacks.
Despite having won three fewer world championships than Lewis Hamilton, former F1 driver David Coulthard recently shared his opinion that Max Verstappen is, in fact, the superior Formula 1 champion. Speaking on The Red Flags Podcast while evaluating past and present F1 champions, Coulthard highlighted the reasons for ranking Verstappen above Hamilton. He emphasized that Verstappen comes across as “very grounded” and noted that, unlike some of his peers, the Dutch driver shows authenticity and presence in all aspects of his professional life. Coulthard explained that Verstappen communicates clearly in interviews and press conferences, openly expressing when he is happy or unhappy, and consistently owns his beliefs.
Coulthard also drew a comparison to Hamilton, acknowledging the British driver’s extraordinary accomplishments but suggesting that Hamilton may no longer be performing at his absolute peak. He argued that the mark of the greatest drivers is their ability to consistently outperform their teammates, something Hamilton, in recent seasons, has not clearly done against George Russell and Charles Leclerc. Coulthard framed this analysis around the two fundamental measures in Formula 1: raw speed and race results. Qualifying times set the starting grid positions, while the chequered flag determines the ultimate race winner. In this context, he felt Verstappen still demonstrates growth and development, while Hamilton’s outright speed might have slightly declined. Coulthard suggested that Verstappen’s trajectory indicates even greater potential for future achievements, prompting the question of how far the Dutchman might go in the sport.
When examining the broader context of Formula 1 history, however, Coulthard did not place Verstappen at the very top of his overall rankings. He ultimately chose Ayrton Senna as his greatest F1 champion, reflecting his personal experience having worked with the Brazilian legend during his time at Williams. Nevertheless, the conversation around Verstappen versus Hamilton is dominated by Hamilton’s unmatched record. Only Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher have achieved seven world championships, and Hamilton’s total of 105 Grand Prix victories and 104 pole positions remain unparalleled in the sport.
Looking ahead, Red Bull’s competitiveness in the 2026 season remains a crucial factor in Verstappen’s pursuit of history. If he maintains his current trajectory, Max Verstappen could become Formula 1’s third seven-time world champion within just three seasons. His pace in closing the gap to Lewis Hamilton’s win record has been exceptional: Verstappen has claimed 61 victories since the start of 2021. Should he continue at this rate and Hamilton not return to the top step of the podium, Max Verstappen could surpass the Briton’s win total before the end of 2028.
Pole positions, however, remain a different challenge. With 48 poles to his name, Verstappen would need to more than double this total to surpass Hamilton’s record of 104, making the British driver’s qualifying achievement potentially the most difficult for Verstappen to eclipse. Even so, the combination of youth, consistent race wins, and ongoing development means Verstappen is closing in on Hamilton’s overall dominance, and the coming seasons may ultimately redefine the benchmarks of modern Formula 1 greatness.
Leave a Reply