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. 1
   Max Verstappen

   His fiercest foe, settled in the explosive 2021 title showdown.
   1000pts
2. 2
   Fernando Alonso

   His explosive 2007 McLaren team-mate as a rookie who matched a two-time champion.
   756pts
3. 3
   Charles Leclerc

   Ferrari's fast young gun and a regular front-row adversary.
   665pts
4. 4
   Kimi Raikkonen

   Ferrari's champion who edged Hamilton in the rookie's 2007 title bid.
   517pts
5. 5
   Daniel Ricciardo

   Ever-smiling wheel-to-wheel racer who thrived in their midfield scraps.
   517pts
6. 6
   Valtteri Bottas

   Loyal Mercedes team-mate who pushed Hamilton over five seasons.
   517pts
7. 7
   Sebastian Vettel

   Four-time champion who fought Hamilton for the title in 2017 and 2018.
   423pts
8. 8
   Nico Rosberg

   Former karting friend turned bitter Mercedes rival who won 2016.
   423pts
9. 9
   Jenson Button

   Fellow British champion and closely matched McLaren team-mate.
   310pts
10. 10
    George Russell

    Mercedes team-mate and heir who beat him on pace in 2022.
    310pts
11. 11
    Lando Norris

    The next-generation British star trading wins with him at McLaren.
    0pts
12. 12
    Felipe Massa

    Denied the 2008 crown by Hamilton on the last corner of the year.
    0pts

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