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Max Verstappen dethrones Lewis Hamilton in shocking all-time F1 champion ranking revelation

Harry Stone by Harry Stone
January 8, 2026
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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Max Verstappen dethrones Lewis Hamilton in shocking all-time F1 champion ranking revelation

SHANGHAI, CHINA - MARCH 22: Sprint winner Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Scuderia Ferrari and Third placed Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing talk in parc ferme during the Sprint ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of China at Shanghai International Circuit on March 22, 2025 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202503220057 // Usage for editorial use only //

Max Verstappen vs. Lewis Hamilton: The Ultimate Showdown in F1 Legacy Rankings!

In the high-octane world of Formula 1, two titans stand at the pinnacle of racing success: Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. But when it comes to the all-time champion rankings, one former driver has thrown a curveball that is sending shockwaves through the motorsport community. David Coulthard, a legendary figure in F1 history, has declared Max Verstappen as his top pick over the iconic Lewis Hamilton, igniting a fierce debate among fans and pundits alike.

Verstappen, the Dutch dynamo, narrowly missed out on expanding his championship collection during the nail-biting finale in Abu Dhabi last month, finishing just two points shy of Lando Norris. With four world titles under his belt, Verstappen is undeniably a force to be reckoned with, yet he still trails behind the record-setting Hamilton, who boasts an unmatched tally of wins, podiums, and pole positions, tied with the legendary Michael Schumacher at seven championships.

The dramatic showdown unfolded on the Red Flags podcast, where Coulthard was thrust into the spotlight, asked to rank F1 champions in an electrifying knockout format. In a riveting semi-final round, Verstappen found himself face-to-face with Hamilton. The tension was palpable as Coulthard made his bold choice: “I’m going to go with Max.”

But why the shocking preference? Coulthard elaborated, “Every generation should be better, that’s what evolution is.” He acknowledged Hamilton’s phenomenal career but expressed a certain disconnect, stating, “Max, I find him very grounded. If he’s here, it’s just Max. He’s present… if he’s not happy, he says it, and he’s not shy to say that.”

Hamilton’s recent years have been riddled with challenges, particularly during his tumultuous first season with Ferrari. Coulthard didn’t hold back on his assessment of Hamilton’s current form, hinting that the British superstar may have passed his peak. “It just feels like the greats match their team-mates or beat their team-mates,” he remarked, pointing out Hamilton’s struggles against George Russell and Charles Leclerc in recent years.

Coulthard’s bold statement raises eyebrows: “If we just use the two things that are ultimately important in F1, it’s the stopwatch and the chequered flag.” The stopwatch indicates qualifying positions, while the chequered flag signifies the coveted victory. Coulthard hinted that Hamilton may not possess the raw speed he once had, yet he acknowledged the immense respect due to Hamilton’s achievements.

Conversely, Verstappen appears to be on an upward trajectory, with Coulthard expressing excitement for what the future holds for the young star: “It still feels like he’s developing, it still feels like there’s more to come.” The question looms large: how far can Verstappen go?

As the ranking battle heated up, Verstappen faced off against the legendary Ayrton Senna in the final round, with Coulthard ultimately selecting Senna as the victor. The debate surrounding who deserves the title of the greatest F1 champion is far from over, and as the racing world gears up for the future, the spotlight remains firmly on these two extraordinary competitors.

With the 2026 F1 regulations set to revolutionize the sport—introducing movable wings, enhanced hybrid systems, and 100% sustainable fuel—the stage is set for an exhilarating new chapter in Formula 1 history. Fans won’t want to miss a moment of the action; mark your calendars and stay tuned for what promises to be a thrilling season ahead!

Tags: 1958-formula-1-seasonDavid CoulthardLewis Hamiltonmax-verstappen-en
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