Max Verstappen

Is Verstappen the best driver in F1? One rival isn't so sure...

Matthew Scott Monday 22 July 2019 13:27

Is Verstappen the best driver in F1? One rival isn't so sure...

Renault driver Nico Hulkenberg would not commit when asked if Max Verstappen is the best driver in Formula 1 currently – a theory raised by Red Bull boss Christian Horner.

Verstappen has outperformed his teammate like no other driver on the grid so far this year, outscoring Pierre Gasly by 81 points to sit third in the drivers' standings.

The Dutchman is also the only non-Mercedes driver to secure a race win so far this year, thanks to his epic comeback drive in Austria.

Even in his less-heralded outings, Verstappen is generally accepted to have gotten more than the maximum out of his RB15 this year, but Hulkenberg says picking an outright best is difficult.

"It is always hard to say because I am very inside this team and my view is very limited because I care for myself and Renault," Hulkenberg said.

"I see all the details inside this team. I don't pay much attention to what other people do on their race weekend.

GPFans F1 Driver Ratings: Who's top at halfway stage of 2019?Read more

"But looking across the board and his runs so far this year he has done pretty well.

“Of course we are all selfish and like to think that we are the best. You do kind of need that attitude and thinking to stay sharp and good.

"[But] you pay respect when a colleague drives a great race or a great qualifying lap."

Latest News

Australian Grand Prix Practice

F1 Results Today: Max Verstappen in NIGHTMARE session as scary crash brings out red flag in Australia

27 minutes ago

F1 Today

F1 News Today: Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari summoned by FIA as driver absence confirmed

Just now

Australian Grand Prix

F1 Practice Today: Australian Grand Prix 2025 start times, schedule, TV channel and live stream

1 hour ago

Australian Grand Prix Practice

F1 2025: Huge crash brings out second red flag at Australian GP

Today 03:20

Australian Grand Prix Practice

F1 2025: Australian Grand Prix session red flagged by BIZARRE issue

Today 03:08

GPFans Recap

Verstappen in fresh FIA blast as Red Bull chief Horner calls HQ meeting - GPFans F1 Recap

Yesterday 23:42

More news

F1 Race Calendar 2025

GP AUSTRALIA 14 - 16 Mar

GP CHINA 21 - 23 Mar

GP JAPAN 4 - 6 Apr

GP BAHRAIN 11 - 13 Apr

GP SAUDI ARABIA 18 - 20 Apr

GP USA 2 - 5 May

Complete kalender 2025

F1 News 24/7

Races

About GPFans

GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.

We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.

With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.

Follow us on your favorite social media channel

Corporate & Media

Innovatieweg 20C
7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

Is Verstappen the best driver in F1? One rival isn't so sure...

Is Verstappen the best driver in F1? One rival isn't so sure...