Ah, the age-old debate of Formula 1: Max Verstappen vs. Lewis Hamilton. It’s like arguing over whether coffee or tea is better—except one of them is a four-time world champion who absolutely obliterated the competition in 2023, and the other had a dominant run when his car was basically a rocket ship with wheels.
So, let’s settle this once and for all (or at least stir the pot a little). Here are 10 reasons why Max Verstappen is the better driver than Sir Lewis Hamilton.
1. Max Actually Knows How to Overtake
Lewis is a great driver, sure. But let’s be honest, for years, he didn’t have to overtake much—he was too busy cruising in the fastest car on the grid. Max, on the other hand, came into F1 with a “send it or send it harder” mentality, making bold, jaw-dropping moves that left fans screaming and competitors shaking.
2. He Can Win in a Non-Dominant Car
Let’s not forget 2021. While Lewis had the benefit of years of Mercedes dominance, Max fought tooth and nail against a seven-time world champion in a car that—let’s be real—wasn’t always the best. And in 2022? He won 15 races in a car that started off overweight. The man could probably win a race in a tractor.
3. He’s More Exciting to Watch
Max’s aggressive, elbows-out racing style is what makes F1 fun. While Lewis often plays it safe (and occasionally complains when someone dares to race him hard), Max races like a guy whose PlayStation controller is stuck in overtake mode.
4. No “Tire Magic” Needed
How many times did we hear, “Bono, my tires are gone” just for Lewis to set the fastest lap moments later? Max, on the other hand, just drives the wheels off his car and deals with it. No dramatics, no mind games—just pure speed.
5. He Wins in Any Conditions
Rain, heat, chaos—you name it, Max thrives in it. Lewis has had some incredible wet-weather performances, but Max in the rain? It’s like watching a cheat code in action (see: Brazil 2016).
6. He Doesn’t Need a Teammate to Take One for the Team
Remember when Valtteri Bottas was basically a moving roadblock for Lewis? Meanwhile, Max has had to fight off his own teammates at times (cough Ricciardo) and still comes out on top.
7. He’s Breaking Records at Warp Speed
Youngest F1 driver? Check. Most wins in a single season? Check. Most consecutive wins? Check.
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8. He Doesn’t Need FIA’s Help
Abu Dhabi 2021 aside (yes, we know), Max doesn’t rely on mysterious rule interpretations or a favorable safety car timing to win races. He just drives like an absolute menace and gets the job done.
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9. He’s Got the Ultimate Villain Energy
Max embraces being the bad guy in F1. Lewis plays the hero role, but let’s be real—villains always make things more entertaining. Max’s “I don’t care, I’ll race you off the track” attitude? Iconic.
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10. He’s Only Getting Started
Lewis is a legend, no doubt. But Max? He’s still young, still improving, and showing no signs of slowing down. If Lewis is F1’s Michael Jordan, Max is the next-gen LeBron—built for dominance in a new era.
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