Felipe Massa recently picked his top three Formula 1 drivers, and the list includes the reigning Formula 1 champion, Max Verstappen. According to a video posted by RBR News on X, Massa mentioned Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, and Verstappen as his top three F1 drivers.
Senna’s inclusion in the top three was unsurprising, as the late F1 driver was one of the finest drivers to have graced the sport. In a career tragically cut short after just a decade, he amassed three championships, 41 wins, and 80 podiums, leaving an enduring legacy unmatched in Formula 1.
During the course of his F1 career, he raced for Toleman, Lotus, McLaren, and Williams. Senna’s debut race came in the 1984 Brazilian Grand Prix, and he raced his last in the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.
— RBR Daily (@RBR_Daily) August 18, 2024
Schumacher, a seven-time world champion alongside Hamilton, is another indisputable inclusion. His tally of 91 Grand Prix victories and 155 podium finishes solidifies his position as one of the greatest drivers ever for many. A Ferrari legend, Schumacher also raced for Jordan, Benetton, and Mercedes during his career as an F1 driver.
Lastly, Massa chose Max Verstappen, who has been the driver to beat in recent years. The Red Bull star is the reigning F1 champion and has won three titles on the trot. The Dutchman has claimed 51 victories in the last 80 races and is looking to clinch his fourth title this season. He is currently leading the 2024 F1 world championship.
Felipe Massa chose Max Verstappen but surprisingly omitted Lewis Hamilton
Interestingly, Lewis Hamilton, the most successful F1 driver in terms of stats, was absent from Felipe Massa’s list. The Brazilian opted for Verstappen over Hamilton, sparking widespread discussion and intrigue.
While Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, and Max Verstappen are undoubtedly among the greatest, Hamilton’s omission is perplexing. The Briton boasts a record seven world championships, a staggering 105 Grand Prix wins, 104 pole positions, and an unmatched 201 podium finish.
As the video went viral on X, fans expressed their disbelief, suggesting that the former Ferrari driver chose Max Verstappen over Hamilton because of his dispute with him in the 2008 F1 season.
Massa and Hamilton’s battle for F1 supremacy goes a long way. The rivalry peaked in 2008, when the Brazilian driver lost that year’s title to Hamilton by a point in the very last race at Interlagos. Notably, Massa tried to retrieve his lost glory one and a half decades later by filing a lawsuit.
