For the fourth consecutive year, Max Verstappen was voted the best driver on the Formula 1 grid by team principals in a poll organized by Formula 1. Each of the ten team bosses submitted a list ranking their top 10 drivers, with points awarded according to the F1 scoring system: 25 points for first place down to one point for 10th.
McLaren’s Lando Norris secured second place, improving on his third-place finish from 2023, though still 72 points behind Verstappen. Charles Leclerc, driving for Ferrari, completed the top three.
Oscar Piastri climbed three spots to take fourth, contributing significantly to McLaren’s first Constructors’ Championship win since 1998, alongside teammate Norris.
Carlos Sainz, in his final season with Ferrari, placed fifth, while Mercedes drivers George Russell and Lewis Hamilton were ranked sixth and seventh, respectively. Nico Hülkenberg impressed voters, taking eighth place with votes from nine of the ten team principals.
Fernando Alonso, after a challenging season with Aston Martin, dropped seven spots to ninth. Pierre Gasly rounded out the top 10.
The team principals casting votes included key figures such as Christian Horner, Toto Wolff, and Fred Vasseur.
This recognition marks another chapter in Verstappen’s dominance, highlighting his ongoing legacy as one of the greatest talents in modern motorsport.
