# 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?

*By YPB Team · Published July 25, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/the-12-greatest-on-track-rivals-of-lewis-hamilton*

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## Current results (3 votes)

1. **Max Verstappen** — 66.67% (2 votes · score 1000/1000)
   His fiercest foe, settled in the explosive 2021 title showdown.
2. **Fernando Alonso** — 33.33% (1 votes · score 756/1000)
   His explosive 2007 McLaren team-mate as a rookie who matched a two-time champion.
3. **Charles Leclerc** — 0% (0 votes · score 665/1000)
   Ferrari's fast young gun and a regular front-row adversary.
4. **Kimi Raikkonen** — 0% (0 votes · score 517/1000)
   Ferrari's champion who edged Hamilton in the rookie's 2007 title bid.
5. **Daniel Ricciardo** — 0% (0 votes · score 517/1000)
   Ever-smiling wheel-to-wheel racer who thrived in their midfield scraps.
6. **Valtteri Bottas** — 0% (0 votes · score 517/1000)
   Loyal Mercedes team-mate who pushed Hamilton over five seasons.
7. **Sebastian Vettel** — 0% (0 votes · score 423/1000)
   Four-time champion who fought Hamilton for the title in 2017 and 2018.
8. **Nico Rosberg** — 0% (0 votes · score 423/1000)
   Former karting friend turned bitter Mercedes rival who won 2016.
9. **Jenson Button** — 0% (0 votes · score 310/1000)
   Fellow British champion and closely matched McLaren team-mate.
10. **George Russell** — 0% (0 votes · score 310/1000)
   Mercedes team-mate and heir who beat him on pace in 2022.
11. **Lando Norris** — 0% (0 votes · score 172/1000)
   The next-generation British star trading wins with him at McLaren.
12. **Felipe Massa** — 0% (0 votes · score 172/1000)
   Denied the 2008 crown by Hamilton on the last corner of the year.

Tags: formula 1, drivers, motorsport, lewis hamilton