Verstappen backed as greatest on the grid by former Ferrari world champion

Max Verstappen has been hailed as the best driver on the current grid by 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen. The former Ferrari driver, who retired after 2021, described Verstappen as a "phenomenon" and recalled witnessing his first win at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix, where the then-18-year-old claimed victory in his debut race for Red Bull.

Why it matters:

Raikkonen's endorsement carries weight given his own world champion pedigree and experience racing against multiple generations. His recognition of Verstappen's talent underscores the Dutchman's status as the benchmark in Formula 1, with four titles and 71 wins already at age 28.

The details:

• Raikkonen's praise: In an interview with Quotidiano Sportivo, Raikkonen said: "Verstappen! I saw him arrive in F1 during my second stint at Ferrari. Max is a phenomenon. He won his first race in Spain right in front of me, ten years ago. That’s when I realised a star was born."
• Marko's recollection: Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko recently recounted that team principal Christian Horner disagreed with promoting Verstappen after just four races in 2016, believing he was too inexperienced. Marko insisted the decision was clear, despite disappointment from Carlos Sainz.
• Palou's comparison: Four-time IndyCar champion Alex Palou also lauded Verstappen, predicting he will be remembered as the best ever, comparing him to Michael Schumacher.

The big picture:

Verstappen's rise from a raw 18-year-old making a splash at Barcelona to a four-time world champion has reshaped F1's competitive order. His 2025 season, where he narrowly missed a fifth title, further cemented his reputation for delivering under pressure. The early doubts from Horner and others now seem distant as Verstappen continues to dominate the conversation around greatness.