LEWIS HAMILTON has been brutally snubbed by Max Verstappen in his F1 driver ratings.
The two drivers were locked in a fierce rivalry over the 2021 season as they battled for the title.
That year ended with Verstappen clinching the crown in the controversial season finale in Abu Dhabi.
It denied Hamilton a record eight world title and since then the British 40-year-old has won just two races.
Meanwhile Verstappen has gone on to win three more world titles, and 46 of the last 84 races.
Hamilton moved from Mercedes to Ferrari at the start of the season but is yet to stand on the podium with the Italian team.
In an interview with Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Verstappen left out Hamilton when asked to name the strongest drivers competing in F1 today.
Instead he focused on Fernando Alonso and Hamilton’s team-mate Charles Leclerc.
Verstappen chose Leclerc as the best driver in qualifying and at overtaking, while Alonso was hailed as the best in race conditions and defence as well as intelligence and mentality.
When asked to name the best driver in qualifying, Verstappen said: “Phew, that’s difficult, but I think currently… I’ve always considered Charles Leclerc to be a very good driver in qualifying.”
He added: “Charles Leclerc is also good at overtaking.”
Asked to name the strongest driver on race day, he said: “I’ve always liked watching Fernando race, even in the past. He’s a real fighter. I really like that.”
Alonso was also named as the most intelligent driver on the grid with Verstappen adding: “Intelligence? I would always opt for experience.
“I’m not going to mention myself in any of this, so I would choose Fernando Alonso for his experience.”
Verstappen also described Alonso as “brilliant in defence” with the 44-year-old “without a doubt” having the most competitive mentality.
The Red Bull driver refused to name the most charismatic driver on the grid, adding: “Actually, it doesn’t matter. Not for driving an F1 car.”
As for the greatest driver in F1 history, Verstappen again was tight-lipped from naming a single individual.
He said: “For me, it’s impossible to say. There are so many great drivers from different eras.
“I think it’s more important to simply appreciate all the great drivers that have ever existed.”
