Former Formula 1 world champion Damon Hill has recently offered a more positive take on Max Verstappen, praising the Dutch driver’s fierce yet controlled style of racing. Although Hill had previously been critical, he now sees Verstappen as one of the most aggressive and tactically sharp drivers on the grid. Hill even compared him to legendary figures like Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher, placing Verstappen in the same league due to his discipline and fighting spirit.
Despite these comparisons, Hill believes something is missing in Verstappen’s era that prevents his legacy from fully matching those greats. He argues that today’s Formula 1 lacks the intense rivalries that once defined the sport. In Hill’s view, Verstappen’s competitors don’t match his seriousness or intensity. While today’s drivers compete hard, they might not carry the same weight or emotional depth in their racing as Verstappen does.
Hill goes on to critique several current drivers who could potentially challenge Verstappen. He mentions Oscar Piastri as a rising talent but still inexperienced. Charles Leclerc, he feels, may be too comfortable at Ferrari, and Carlos Sainz is now with a mid-pack team. Lando Norris, despite his talent, doesn’t race with the urgency of someone who’s putting everything on the line. According to Hill, none of them push Verstappen hard enough to truly threaten his dominance.
One driver who does earn Hill’s respect is Fernando Alonso. Hill says both Verstappen and Alonso are cut from the same cloth—drivers who always give 100% and think several steps ahead. He praises Alonso’s craftiness and even jokes he wouldn’t want to play cards against him. Hill suggests that if Aston Martin or another team provides Alonso with a competitive car, he might be the only one capable of matching Verstappen’s tenacity.
Reflecting on his own career, Hill recalls his most emotionally charged race: the 1996 Japanese Grand Prix. He won the race and the world championship after dedicating his effort to the late Ayrton Senna. He describes being so mentally immersed that his body felt completely free and unburdened, powered by emotion. For Hill, this kind of emotional depth and mental focus is what can separate a good driver from a legendary one—something he believes Verstappen possesses more than any of his current rivals.
About the Author
