Not Michael Schumacher or Max Verstappen – Lewis Hamilton picks best F1 driver ever

Lewis Hamilton was asked to name the greatest-ever driver in F1 history

Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton named his pick for the best-ever F1 driver (Image: Gongora/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Lewis Hamilton overlooked Michael Verstappen and Michael Schumacher when naming the best F1 driver of all time. The British driver also opted not to pick himself, despite winning a joint-record seven world championships during his illustrious career.
Lewis Hamilton named his pick for the best-ever F1 driver (Image: Gongora/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Lewis Hamilton overlooked Michael Verstappen and Michael Schumacher when naming the best F1 driver of all time. The British driver also opted not to pick himself, despite winning a joint-record seven world championships during his illustrious career.

In an interview with Brazilian social media star Matheus Gonze in November, Hamilton was asked a series of quick-fire questions, including who he considered to be the best driver of all time. Without hesitation, the British driver replied: “Senna.”

The Brazilian icon won three world titles before his tragic death, aged 34, following a crash at the 1994 San Marino GP. Senna remains synonymous with motorsport and continues to inspire world-class drivers.

Hamilton was then asked to name the best driver he had ever raced against, once again overlooking Schumacher and Verstappen. After a brief pause, he answered: “That’s difficult, I’m going to say Sebastian [Vettel].”

It is a notable honour for Vettel, who remains the youngest-ever F1 champion. Hamilton has consistently lauded the four-time winner, who retired from the sport in 2022.


“I have an amazing relationship with Sebastian,” Hamilton told ESPN in October. “For me, I think out of all the drivers that I’ve come across in my career, he for me is the most all-round driver. And when I talk about an all-round driver, I mean as a human being, you know?

“Someone that has empathy. Someone that understands, that’s super, super competitive. But [can] put that aside.

“He understands people. He understands that there’s a much bigger picture than just us. And there’s no ‘me, me, me’ with him. It’s about bringing people together. And I love that he’s utilising his platform.”

Vettel began his F1 career with BMW and Toro Rosso before rising to prominence at Red Bull. He won four consecutive titles between 2010 and 2013, later having spells at Ferrari and Aston Martin before announcing his retirement. Outside of the sport, the 38-year-old is a climate and environmental activist.