
Jenson Button has named Max Verstappen the best-ever Formula One driver in comments that might not go down well with seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton. Button made the claim while discussing Verstappen's next move, amid reports that he could leave Red Bull.
The Dutchman is reported to have a release clause in his contract that allows him to leave this year if certain performance targets are not met. Verstappen seems extremely unlikely to claim the Drivers' Championship this year following his DNF in Austria, which leaves him 61 points behind leader Oscar Piastri. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has publicly declared his interest in signing the reigning four-time world champion, while Aston Martin were reported to have made an offer for his services last winter.
Button, the 2009 world champion, believes Verstappen is the best racer to drive an F1 car and says the 27-year-old has a 'tricky' decision to make over his future. Sweeping regulation changes set to be introduced for the 2026 season mean it is unclear which teams will be competitive next year.
"The good thing that Max has in his favour is that he's probably the best racing driver that's ever raced in a Formula One car. So everyone wants him. It's a nice position to be in, but it's also tricky to pick and choose who is going to be competitive next year," the 45-year-old told Sky Sports.
"Red Bull is a team that has given him so much over the years, and this car really suits his driving style. But are they going to be good enough next year? Everyone is going on about the power units, the power unit of the Mercedes seems to be very strong compared to everything else. So he [might] want to be in a Mercedes, but can they deliver the car for him that suits his style? Who knows?"
Button's certainty that Verstappen is the best-ever F1 racer might not go down with Ferrari star Hamilton, who will believe his own CV is worthy of that title. In 2021, the 40-year-old came within a whisker of winning a record eight world titles, a feat that would be difficult for Verstappen to match.
Hamilton has struggled since his switch from Mercedes to Ferrari. However, a fourth-placed finish at the Austrian Grand Prix provides momentum heading into the British Grand Prix, a race the home favourite won last season.
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