Anthony Davidson picks the best F1 driver of the last 25 years if they all had the same car

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Anthony Davidson has explained why Max Verstappen would beat Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher if the top drivers from the 21st century competed in the same car.

Four of the top six drivers in F1 history, going by number of F1 championships, have raced in the last 25 years. Schumacher started his career in 1991 but peaked at the turn of the century with five straight titles at Ferrari.

Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel joined the grid in the late noughties, while Verstappen arrived in 2015. While 2001 debutant Fernando Alonso has only won two titles, he is also widely regarded as one of the most talented drivers ever.

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Anthony Davidson picks Max Verstappen over Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher

On the latest episode of the F1 Show podcast, Sky Sports tennis pundit Tim Henman asked Davidson and David Croft who would win if all the drivers from the ‘last 25 years’ raced in equal machinery at Silverstone.

While Verstappen’s streak of titles came to an end last year, denying him Schumacher’s record, he finished just two points behind world champion Lando Norris. At one stage, he was over 100 points off the pace, so this ranks as one of the most impressive seasons ever for a runner-up.

• READ MORE: Ralf Schumacher says Max Verstappen has proved he’s no Michael Schumacher with Red Bull comments

Davidson also believes Verstappen’s adaptability would set him apart. The 28-year-old will race at the Nurburgring once again this weekend in preparation for the 24-Hour event in May.

“I would choose Max Verstappen,” said Davidson. “He’s just at the top of his game. Obviously not in a good place with his car right now, but what he did last year against the two dominant McLarens…. The speed he’s got in GTs… he can jump in most things and be quick.”

It’s a matter of time before Max Verstappen overtakes Lewis Hamilton, unless…

Verstappen is 20 wins behind Schumacher (91) and 34 behind Hamilton (105). If he continues competing in F1, it seems inevitable he will break those records.

Given that he still hasn’t hit 30, the overall championship record is in his sights too.

However, given that he doesn’t enjoy driving the current generation of his cars, Verstappen’s long-term F1 future is in doubt. His Red Bull contract runs until the end of 2028 and it’s unclear whether he intends to continue racing beyond that.

Should Verstappen choose to pursue other racing interests, Hamilton’s position at the top of the leaderboards will be safe.

That said, David Coulthard believes Verstappen could return to F1 after a break, as Schumacher and Alonso did. Much will depend on whether the post-2030 cars are to his liking.