Bernie Ecclestone Hails Max Verstappen as 'Best F1 Driver I Can Ever Remember' in Christmas Message

In a special Christmas message, former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has declared Max Verstappen the "best Formula 1 driver I can ever remember." The 95-year-old, who shaped the modern era of the sport, shared his candid reflections on the 2025 season, touching on team dynamics, global politics, and the uncertain road ahead for 2026.

Why it matters:

Ecclestone's endorsement carries significant weight given his unparalleled, decades-long perspective on the sport. His praise for Verstappen, coupled with sharp observations on team performances, offers a unique historical benchmark for assessing the current competitive landscape. His comments also underscore the ongoing political and commercial tensions that continue to define Formula 1's future.

The details:

• In his letter shared via F1 Insider, Ecclestone placed Verstappen at the pinnacle of his memory, a notable statement from someone who has witnessed the careers of legends like Senna, Schumacher, and Hamilton.
• He pointedly referenced the managerial shifts of 2025, noting "bye bye Christian [Horner]" and "Toto [Wolff] waking up," highlighting the off-track power struggles that influence on-track success.
• Ecclestone credited Zak Brown for McLaren's return "to their old ways," while sympathetically noting Lewis Hamilton was "suffering a bit with an uncompetitive team."
• In a characteristically provocative aside, he applauded former U.S. President Donald Trump for "running the world with no competition except gentlemen who lack an important part of their body."

What's next:

Ecclestone struck a cautionary note about the coming year, predicting that "2026 will not be a peaceful year for Formula One." He advised those in the sport to "take a few quids at the end of 2025," suggesting financial and competitive volatility is on the horizon. Despite the forecast for turmoil, he concluded with a personal note of perseverance, citing his own life with a young son at age 95, and urged everyone to "do your best at whatever you are doing."