The 12 Greatest On-Track Rivals of Lewis Hamilton

Team-mates turned enemies, generational upstarts and old foes who pushed the sport's most decorated driver to the very limit. Which rival tested him most?

1

Max Verstappen

His fiercest foe, settled in the explosive 2021 title showdown.

1000pts

2

Fernando Alonso

His explosive 2007 McLaren team-mate as a rookie who matched a two-time champion.

756pts

3

Charles Leclerc

Ferrari's fast young gun and a regular front-row adversary.

665pts

4

Kimi Raikkonen

Ferrari's champion who edged Hamilton in the rookie's 2007 title bid.

517pts

5

Daniel Ricciardo

Ever-smiling wheel-to-wheel racer who thrived in their midfield scraps.

517pts

6

Valtteri Bottas

Loyal Mercedes team-mate who pushed Hamilton over five seasons.

517pts

7

Sebastian Vettel

Four-time champion who fought Hamilton for the title in 2017 and 2018.

423pts

8

Nico Rosberg

Former karting friend turned bitter Mercedes rival who won 2016.

423pts

9

Jenson Button

Fellow British champion and closely matched McLaren team-mate.

310pts

10

George Russell

Mercedes team-mate and heir who beat him on pace in 2022.

310pts

11

Lando Norris

The next-generation British star trading wins with him at McLaren.

172pts

12

Felipe Massa

Denied the 2008 crown by Hamilton on the last corner of the year.

172pts