The F1 greatest of all time debate is often centred around the talents of Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, and a former star of the sport has made his position clear
Following years of Max Verstappen and Red Bull supremacy, the 2025 F1 title battle appears destined to conclude with a fresh world champion. Oscar Piastri currently heads the standings in front of McLaren colleague Lando Norris, while defending titleholder Verstappen finds himself running short of opportunities to bridge the gap to the duo.
Lewis Hamilton finds himself even more distant from contention, however. The seven-time drivers’ championship victor broke a lengthy race victory drought last campaign and had hoped to build momentum following his switch from Mercedes to Ferrari, yet matters haven’t unfolded as anticipated.
Hamilton hasn’t completely bounced back from a tough opening to the season and occupies sixth position in the current standings ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix. He finds himself one place behind new teammate Charles Leclerc and one above his Mercedes replacement Kimi Antonelli, whilst still awaiting his maiden podium finish since switching teams.
The British stalwart’s seven Drivers’ Championships remains the joint-record of all time, matching Michael Schumacher, while Verstappen looks poised to end the campaign frozen on four – though he’s quite a bit younger than his rival. Discussion surrounding the greatest of all time continues to intensify, though, and F1 icon Gerhard Berger offered his assessment during Verstappen’s run to a fourth straight title last year.
“[Verstappen] thinks through where you can overtake and where you can’t. Neither [Ayrton] Senna, Schumacher nor Hamilton had this tool,” Berger told Auto Motor und Sport in 2024. “It’s just noticeable that Max is always in the right place. At the start, in the first corner, in a duel. I can’t think of anything that could be done better than him. That’s why Max Verstappen is probably the best we’ve ever seen in Formula 1.”
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Verstappen has narrowed the deficit to the two McLaren racers following triumphs in Italy and Azerbaijan, ensuring the championship battle remains alive. Should he manage to claw back the points and secure a fifth consecutive crown, it would bolster his case to be regarded as the greatest of all time – though even he harboured doubts about Red Bull’s ability to bounce back in 2025.
“In the end, you always go through certain difficult moments,” the Dutch ace told Autosport. “And of course, sometimes you do think, ‘Is this going to be okay, can we still turn things around?’ But on the other hand, there’s no point to keep thinking like that.
“You always have to look for solutions, talk to people inside the team, and exchange ideas in a positive way. At the end of the day, that is what it’s all about, and that’s what we have done.”
Up next is the Singapore Grand Prix, set to unfold at Marina Bay on Sunday. McLaren could wrap up the constructors’ championship with either driver reaching the podium, though the drivers’ title cannot be decided just yet.
Last season, McLaren placed two racers on the rostrum. It was Norris claimed victory en route to pushing Verstappen all the way for the overall title, with Piastri finishing third and Verstappen slotted in between the duo.
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