Verstappen Voted Driver of the Year by F1 Peers as Hamilton Exits Top 10 for First Time

Max Verstappen has been voted Driver of the Year by his F1 rivals for the fifth consecutive year, edging out newly crowned world champion Lando Norris in an anonymous peer poll. The Red Bull driver's recognition highlights a season of fierce competition, but the most significant story is the omission of seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton from the top 10 for the first time ever. This reflects a dramatic downturn in form during Hamilton's debut season with Ferrari.

Why it matters:

• The peer poll is a unique barometer of a driver's standing within the paddock, reflecting on-track performance and reputation beyond just the championship standings.
• Verstappen's win, even in a year he lost the title, underscores the immense respect he commands for his raw speed and consistency.
• Hamilton's historic slide is a stunning development, symbolizing the struggles he faced adapting to Ferrari and highlighting the shifting hierarchy in F1.

The details:

• The poll used the standard F1 points system, with drivers anonymously ranking their top 10 colleagues. Verstappen earned the most points, claiming the top spot.
• Top 3: Verstappen finished first, followed by World Champion Lando Norris in second and Mercedes' George Russell in third.
• Midfield battle: Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc took fourth and fifth, respectively, while Carlos Sainz impressed in sixth after his move to Williams.
• Veterans and Rookies: Fernando Alonso climbed to seventh, with Williams' Alex Albon in eighth. Rookies Oliver Bearman and Isack Hadjar both cracked the top 10, earning praise for their debut seasons.
• The context: Four drivers did not participate in the poll: Lewis Hamilton, Nico Hülkenberg, Lance Stroll, and Yuki Tsunoda. Hamilton's non-participation means he could not be voted for, but his absence from the list of voters is itself a notable part of the story.

Looking Ahead:

The results set a compelling stage for the 2026 season. Verstappen's continued recognition from his peers confirms he remains the benchmark for pure driving talent, regardless of his car's performance. For Hamilton, the snub provides a powerful source of motivation as he looks to bounce back and prove his critics wrong in his second year with Ferrari. Meanwhile, the strong showings from Norris, Piastri, and the top rookies signal a new generation of drivers firmly establishing themselves at the front of the grid.