Damon Hill shares where he ranks Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Michael Schumacher among F1’s greatest drivers

The debate over who is the greatest driver in the history of Formula 1 will rage on until the end of time.

It’s virtually impossible to try and compare legendary drivers like Juan Manuel Fangio and Alberto Ascari to the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.

Not only has the level of technology in Formula 1 completely changed, but so has the level of safety, the number of races each season and the demands on each driver.

Racers are always inspired by the generation before them, and while Hamilton considered Ayrton Senna his idol, Senna looked to the great Jim Clark for inspiration.

Hamilton’s generation of drivers would also have looked at seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher and the dynasty he created at Ferrari as an example of what they would like to create.

Hamilton has taken inspiration from Schumacher by joining Ferrari, although he’s done so much later in his career.

Damon Hill had a fierce rivalry with Schumacher during his time racing in Formula 1 and has now shared where he thinks the German ranks compared to the two most decorated drivers currently on the grid.

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Damon Hill ranks Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen

Hill was asked on the High Performance Podcast where Verstappen sits for him in the list of F1’s greatest drivers and said: “Right up there, no question.”

Jake Humphrey asked if he was number one and he continued: “Possibly. I mean, in terms of his effectiveness, in terms of his preparedness, his maturity, his speed, he’s a phenomenon.

“And there are very few phenomena drivers. They are the ones that we know of, the Fangios, Jim Clarks, the Sennas and the Michael Schumachers.”

He was then asked where he lies on the Verstappen against Hamilton debate and explained: “Lewis is a different kind of driver. So this is what I’m saying is that he’s more of a rapier than the battleaxe in competition.

“They’re different. I think Lewis’s natural ability, I don’t think even he knows the depths of it.

“He just somehow has been gifted an extraordinary talent for driving and also a passion for racing as well.

“He still wants to race, it’s more character differences than anything else, I would say.”

Hill was then questioned where Schumacher fits on the list to which he answered: “I mean, he’s up with Lewis in terms of…I mean, statistics are a problem because there are more races now, there are more seasons, etc.

“So, championships, longevity, you need to adjust it for inflation.

“I think they’re level, Max still has it to do in terms of, having said what I said about statistics, I think Max still has to deliver.

“Whereas Michael’s delivered his [championships], maybe Lewis has delivered his [championships], maybe there was an eighth title, which didn’t happen, which should have done. But maybe he should have lost when Felipe Massa won, what, I don’t know.”

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Max Verstappen compared to Michael Schumacher during the 2025 F1 season

Hamilton’s career might only be able to be assessed properly once he finally decides to retire.

Ferrari have Hamilton signed up to an initial two-year deal with the option to extend by a further year.

If the 40-year-old manages to win an eighth title, then he will be the undisputed greatest driver of all time, but until then, comparisons will always be drawn between himself and Schumacher.

Hill believes Verstappen will have a way to go before he reaches that level.

However, Verstappen is frequently compared to Schumacher given they have very similar approaches to racecraft.

If he manages to win the drivers’ championship this year, then he’ll surely enter the same pantheon of drivers as Hamilton and Schumacher, and the updates Red Bull delivered at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix could be the key to achieving that feat.