Renault driver Nico Hulkenberg unsure if Max Verstappen is best in F1

Max Verstappen

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

Who else could it be?

Matthew Scott

Monday 22 July 2019 12:27

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.

Article continues under video

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."

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

F1 Penalty Points 2026: Which stars risk race ban after Japanese Grand Prix?

55 minutes ago

Toto Wolff reacts to Mercedes F1 reshuffle: 'You realise someone is more clever than you'

1 hour ago

Max Verstappen knew these new F1 regulations would be bad, he told everybody three years ago

2 hours ago

$Rattled George Russell is being schooled by rivals and his F1 title dream is already fracturing$

Rattled George Russell is being schooled by rivals and his F1 title dream is already fracturing

3 hours ago

Ferrari F1 suspect Mercedes skullduggery with new engine trick

Today 09:51

Lewis Hamilton's F1 boss confident of FIA Ferrari decision: 'A new championship will begin'