In a recent interview, former Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button gave his opinion on who is currently the best driver between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.
Jenson Button, who won the 2009 Formula 1 World Championship with the Brawn GP team and is now a respected commentator for Sky Sports, compared the careers and abilities of Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. Despite the impressive achievements of his former McLaren teammate Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button ultimately chose the Dutch driver Max Verstappen as the best Formula 1 driver at this moment in time.
Lewis Hamilton is widely regarded as one of the greatest Formula 1 drivers in the history of the sport. He currently holds numerous all-time records, including seven World Championship titles, 105 Grand Prix victories, 202 podium finishes, and 104 pole positions. These accomplishments firmly place him among the sport’s legends.
However, despite Hamilton’s historic statistics and incredible track record, Jenson Button’s vote went to Max Verstappen, the current star of the Red Bull Racing Team.
According to Button, the 2025 Formula 1 season has revealed an important distinction between the two drivers. Although Max Verstappen’s chances of winning the 2025 drivers’ title are extremely slim due to a Red Bull car that has fallen behind the competition in terms of performance, the Dutch driver has still managed to win two Grand Prix races this season. Button believes this ability to triumph even when the car is not the strongest on the grid is what elevates Verstappen above the rest.
In contrast, Lewis Hamilton’s switch from Mercedes to Scuderia Ferrari has not been as successful as many fans had hoped. The British driver has appeared to struggle at times with the Ferrari SF-25, and results have not lived up to early expectations. Button implies that this transition may have dulled some of Hamilton’s edge, at least for now.
Jenson Button’s full comments
“Max Verstappen is the most complete Formula 1 driver there has ever been,” said Jenson Button during an appearance on the Chris Moyles Show. “Even though I know he hasn’t won as many championships as Lewis Hamilton.”
“Obviously, I think Lewis is extremely talented and one of the greatest drivers in the world,” continued Button. “But there’s something about Max… he’s able to do things with the car that I don’t think anyone else can. Lewis… I was his teammate for three seasons, and the talent he has, that natural ability, is just incredible. He would often struggle during free practice sessions, and I would think to myself: ‘Okay, this is my chance, I can beat him this time.’ And then… boom, he would put in a phenomenal lap in qualifying. He would just appear out of nowhere. It was pure, raw talent.”
Jenson Button also acknowledged the magnitude of Hamilton’s career achievements. “Obviously, when you look at what Lewis has done in his career… I’m not sure anyone will be able to break his records. But if I look purely at the current moment, right now, Max is the one who can extract more from the car than anyone else out there.”
Jenson Button’s words highlight the often-debated topic among Formula 1 fans and experts: who truly is the greatest of this era? While Hamilton’s legacy is firmly cemented with unmatched consistency and statistical dominance, Verstappen is increasingly being recognized for his technical mastery and racecraft under pressure — especially when faced with an underperforming car.
Jenson Button’s assessment adds weight to the argument that Max Verstappen’s ability to adapt to different situations, extract maximum performance from the car, and maintain composure even in tough conditions may be what separates him from the rest of the grid in 2025.
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