Do you suppose the massive distinction in outcomes between Max Verstappen and his varied team-mates over time, in contrast with the nearer battles Lewis Hamilton has had with a few of his (Nico Rosberg, George Russell and Charles Leclerc) says extra about Max, or the standard of his team-mates? – Simon
This can be a very advanced query, to which it isn’t attainable to offer a definitive reply, as a result of there are such a lot of variables.
Sure, Verstappen has had an enormous benefit over a number of of his team-mates, particularly in recent times.
However he and Carlos Sainz had been comparatively evenly matched in 2015 – in truth, on common qualifying tempo, Sainz was barely forward over their yr and a bit as team-mates.
And the identical went for Daniel Ricciardo, though Verstappen inched his approach from a bit bit behind the Australian on common in 2016 to definitively, if not massively, forward by the top of 2018.
After that, you additionally need to consider Verstappen’s pre-eminence within the Crimson Bull workforce, the truth that all the pieces was solely centered on him, and that the Crimson Bull automotive ended up in a spot the place it was very tough to drive.
Even so, Sergio Perez did beat Verstappen on advantage a handful of instances.
On the similar time, earlier than arriving at Ferrari, Hamilton had definitively overwhelmed all his team-mates by his profession aside from Fernando Alonso in 2007, once they had been to all intents and functions even, and George Russell over there years at Mercedes.
Jenson Button scored extra factors than Hamilton over their three years collectively at McLaren from 2010-12 however Hamilton completed forward two of the three years and scored significantly extra wins. He additionally had a tough season in 2011 when off-track elements affected his driving.
It can be argued that, on stability, Hamilton has had the next calibre of team-mate for extra of his profession than Verstappen.
What Verstappen has not had alongside him since 2018 is a driver who’s each skilled and a recognised prime liner.
It might be fascinating to see him alongside Leclerc, Russell or one of many McLaren drivers, for instance.
Having mentioned all of that, although, proper now just about everybody in Components 1 accepts that Verstappen is the stand-out driver on the grid. He is proper up there within the debate about who’s the best of all time.
