Verstappen names top F1 drivers of all-time - and there's a surprise!

Max Verstappen has delivered his verdict on the top-five F1 drivers of all time - with one particular name standing out.

The 26-year-old Dutchman is increasingly found in such conversations on the back of winning three titles and 60 grands prix wins.

But when asked recently who his own personal top five would be, one name that is seldom considered made the cut.

Who the top five F1 drivers are from the championship's history is an often debated topic. The requirements, expectations and physicality - amongst other things - have changed drastically over the past 74 years, and F1 has evolved through generations in that time.

It is subjective and a somewhat academic exercise given how difficult it is to compare drivers of different eras. In short, it is almost impossible to answer - despite that, Verstappen gave it a go.

"I know what happens because whatever I say, there will be people commenting and disagreeing. It's a difficult question," he told DAZN, before giving his answer.

"I will go for Michael [Schumacher], probably also Ayrton [Senna], Fernando [Alonso], Lewis [Hamilton] and [Juan Manuel] Fangio. The familiar names."

Alonso in Verstappen's all-time top five F1 drivers

One name, however, stands out - as familiar as it might be. Fernando Alonso is the most experienced F1 driver of all time, and whilst he has always been one of the most talented drivers in the field, his results have not always reflected that, after spending much of his later career at midfield teams.

Having made his debut for Minardi in 2001, he will still be racing 25 years later, with his next Aston Martin contract taking him through to at least the end of 2026.

Since 2001, he has entered 389 grands prix (starting all but three) and won 32 times, but with his last now 11  years ago. But for the Red Bull driver, the two-time champion's greatness is not solely predicated on his accolades.

"I think Fernando always shows himself as he is," Verstappen said. "That is something I admire enormously. He has been very successful but remains passionate about racing. 

"He's a normal, nice guy and I appreciate that. He is also generally very happy when another driver does well."

By the time that next Aston Martin deal concludes, it will be two decade since the second of his two drivers' championships was won. It is already over 10 years since he won a grand prix.

His career burned bright early, becoming F1's youngest ever race winner when he took victory at the 2003 Hungarian Grand Prix. However, despite not often being considered amongst the greatest five in F1 history, he talent undoubtably exceeds her accomplishments in the series.

For Verstappen, he sees parallels between his career and Alonso's. Both re-energised their home nation's love of F1 and both became their country's first world champion.

"I think he was the first Spanish F1 driver who made the sport big in Spain. He also became world champion. For me it's a bit the same in the Netherlands," the Dutchman added.

"He loves racing and I love racing. He even a little bit more than me, because at his age he is still in F1. I have a lot of respect for him. I remember following him in F1 when I was still in karts. For him, I turned on the TV because I knew he was going to race well."

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