Coulthard Names Verstappen as F1's GOAT Over Hamilton
David Coulthard has declared Max Verstappen the greatest F1 driver ever, placing him above Lewis Hamilton due to the theory of generational evolution and Verstappen's recent dominance over teammates.
Former F1 driver David Coulthard has sparked controversy by declaring Max Verstappen as the greatest Formula 1 driver of all time, placing him ahead of Lewis Hamilton. On "The Red Flags Podcast," Coulthard narrowed down a list of legends to a final showdown between the two current titans, ultimately siding with the Dutchman due to the principle of evolution and recent performance metrics.
Why it matters:
Coulthard's verdict challenges the established narrative that often favors historical legends like Senna or Schumacher, or Hamilton's record-breaking career. By prioritizing current trajectory and raw dominance over historical sentiment, Coulthard highlights a shifting perspective in the sport regarding how eras are compared, potentially signaling a changing of the guard in the eyes of pundits.
The Details:
- Evolution over History: Coulthard's central argument is that every generation should be better than the last due to evolution. He posits that advancements in technology, training, and data analysis mean current drivers operate at a higher baseline than predecessors like Fangio, Stewart, or Prost.
- Teammate Benchmark: A critical metric for Coulthard is performance against teammates. He noted that Hamilton hasn't clearly dominated recent rivals like George Russell or Charles Leclerc (following Hamilton's 2025 move to Ferrari), whereas Verstappen has consistently "sent his teammates into retirement."
- Hamilton's Trajectory: While acknowledging Hamilton's "incredible" career, Coulthard suggested the seven-time champion may be past his absolute peak, particularly following the struggles with Mercedes' ground-effect cars prior to his Ferrari switch.
- Verstappen's Edge: Coulthard praised Verstappen for being grounded and direct, contrasting his no-nonsense approach with the corporate polish often seen elsewhere. He emphasized that Verstappen still appears to be developing and improving, suggesting there is "more to come."
Looking Ahead:
Coulthard joins figures like Bernie Ecclestone and Marc Surer in backing Verstappen for the top spot. While the debate over the GOAT is subjective and endless, Coulthard emphasized that only the stopwatch and the checkered flag truly matter. With Verstappen perceived to have more momentum and potential for growth, the argument for his supremacy is gaining traction among insiders.