Max Verstappen builds his 'ideal driver' featuring Fernando Alonso and Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton doesn't make the cut

The reigning Formula 1 world champion, Max Verstappen, has come up with his 'ideal driver' based on a few specific criteria. In line with this, he has mentioned top drivers like Fernando Alonso and Charles Leclerc, but interestingly, has left out the name of the seven-time champ Lewis Hamilton.

Max Verstappen has been competing in the pinnacle of motorsport since 2015, and over the years, has established himself as one of the best to ever do it. Based on the experience he has had so far fighting against the other 19 best drivers (to be 21 from 2026) from all over the world, he has recently built his ideal racing driver.

Verstappen has deemed himself the best at starting, setting up an F1 car, and also at overtaking. However, when it comes to qualifying and racecraft, he has deemed two-time champ Fernando Alonso and Ferrari star Charles Leclerc as the best.

"Best starter, I do think we have had some good starts, so I'll put myself. Me (when asked the best guy to set up the car). Ah, I'm not gonna put myself there, I mean, I think we have been doing good qualifying, I'll put Charles, I like him. He's normally very good at qualifying. I'm gonna put Fernando, I like it when he is racing with people like, you can see his racing smarts (racecraft)."

Other than the above-mentioned criteria, tire management has also been discussed in the video, but Max Verstappen views it as more car-dependent.

"We need to be ahead constantly": Max Verstappen on the 2025 F1 title fight

F1 Grand Prix of Brazil - Previews - Source: Getty

While Max Verstappen has snubbed Lewis Hamilton while building his ideal Formula 1 driver, the former has a big job on his hands in the remaining four races. Versatappen is currently in third place in the fiercely contested drivers' championship and is 36 points behind the leader, Lando Norris. In second place is Norris' McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri.

With the 2025 Brazilian Grand Prix slated to take place on the upcoming Sunday, the Dutchman has talked about the title fight via an interaction with F1, and added:

"We just try to do everything we can until the end. It's 36 points, still a decent gap. I think over the last few rounds we have done a very good job as a team, but of course if we want to close that down further we need to be ahead constantly now, and that I think will be a big challenge but we'll see. I'm just excited to be here and hopefully it will be a good weekend for us."

In the first 20 Grand Prix events of the 2025 Formula 1 season, Verstappen has secured five victories, and 11 podium finishes.

Edited by Rishabh Negi