max-verstappen-george-russell-oscar-piastri-f1-singapore-gp

Max Verstappen, P2, in between polesitter George Russell and Oscar Piastri P3. Photo: RacePictures.

Verstappen ranked higher than Hamilton among all-time F1 drivers

16:52, 16 Oct

Updated: 17:16, 16 Oct

1 Comments

byTobia Elia

Guenther Steiner’s list of the ten greatest F1 drivers of all time features Max Verstappen ahead of Lewis Hamilton.

"Max is one which can make his way up this list if he wins a few more and if he keeps on doing what he's doing"

- Guenther Steiner

Although he’s the driver with the most world titles alongside Michael Schumacher — and holds the all-time records for wins and pole positions — Steiner explained why he placed Hamilton only seventh in his ranking.

"Just because he's still driving it doesn't put him on top of this. He won a lot of championships and I respect him a lot. But for me, it's more like looking into the era, and that's why if you put me on the spot here — who you think is the best driver, I don't know, because it's different eras.

"I respect what he did. He started very simple in racing and made it to be this global, not only race car driver, rock star. He became a star in itself. As a racing driver, I respect him because he was always fast and what he did in his heyday."

Max Verstappen sitting in his car - Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

As for Verstappen, however, the Italian-American added: "I think Max is one which can make his way up this list if he wins a few more and if he keeps on doing what he's doing. For me, for example, like when he went to race in GT cars... doing these things..."

According to the former Haas team principal, taking on challenges in other categories outside Formula 1 is what truly makes a driver special — and sets them apart from the rest.

"I quite like them, because I think that if you're a race car driver, that is what you want to do. And for me, a driver, if he does a lot of other racing, I think that makes him, for me, more interesting."

Hamilton and Verstappen to face media together in Austin

As the 2025 Formula 1 season heads into its 19th round at the Circuit of the Americas, the FIA has announced the drivers who will take part in Thursday’s press conference, ahead of the on-track action kicking off tomorrow.

Both Hamilton and Verstappen will be present to answer questions from the media, but they won’t be the only ones. Here’s the full schedule.

The latest F1 Paddock Update from GPblog

Want to keep track of everything happening behind the scenes in Formula 1? GPblog’s F1 Paddock Update has you covered. Subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode.