Lewis Hamilton snubbed as McLaren chief names best three drivers on F1 grid

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has named the best three current Formula 1 drivers, with McLaren star Lewis Hamilton a surprising omission from the Italian’s list

McLaren group head Andrea Stella has reprimanded seven-time Recipe 1 title holder Lewis Hamilton when requested to name the three best drivers on the network at this moment.

Obviously, Max Verstappen makes the rundown having now come out on top for three successive big showdowns. The Dutchman traveled to triumph this year, getting done with over two times the places of his closest challenger – Red Bull partner Sergio Perez.

Stella likewise selected one of his own drivers, Lando Norris, guaranteeing the McLaren star “would have the option to battle for the title” if the group “gave him a decent vehicle”. Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, who came out on top for two big showdowns in 2005 and 2006, balances Stella’s rundown, with the Italian asserting he “fundamentally has no shortcomings” and making correlations between the veteran star and Norris.

That left Hamilton as a surprising omission, given he has the most race wins, pole positions and podium finishes in the sport’s history to go along with his record seven world titles. Hamilton also bounced back from a disappointing 2022 campaign to finish third this year behind the two Red Bulls.

However, in an interview with DAZN, Stella claimed Verstappen, Norris and Alonso would be the best drivers on the grid if everyone was given the same car. “Oscar [Piastri] is talented and let me say intelligent,” Stella began.

“His brain capabilities are very high. He has very interesting characteristics. I would say that he is very calm. Lando is already one of the best drivers on the grid. He is very fast, very good in the race, with tyre management.

“When I think about Lando, I think that if the team and I gave him a good car, he would be able to fight for the championship. When we talk about being the most complete, I definitely think of Fernando Alonso.

“He basically has no weaknesses. I think this makes him unique. He is not the best in many things, but he is very strong in all of them. I think that in Oscar I see his powerful mind. He is definitely like Fernando. He can do mathematical calculations while driving.

“Then again, Lando, I figure his improvement as a driver will make him so complete. He helps me a little to remember Fernando. My main three drivers with similar vehicles would be Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and Fernando Alonso.”