13 December 2023 , 09:02
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McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has snubbed seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton when asked to name the three best drivers on the grid right now.
Unsurprisingly, Max Verstappen makes the list having now won three consecutive world titles. The Dutchman cruised to victory this year, finishing with more than double the points of his nearest challenger - Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez.
Stella also opted for one of his own drivers, Lando Norris, claiming the McLaren star "would be able to fight for the championship" if the team "gave him a good car". Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso, who won two world titles in 2005 and 2006, rounds out Stella's list, with the Italian claiming he "basically has no weaknesses" and making comparisons between the veteran star and Norris.
That left Hamilton as a surprising omission, given he has the most race wins, pole positions and podium finishes in the sport's history to go along with his record seven world titles. Hamilton also bounced back from a disappointing 2022 campaign to finish third this year behind the two Red Bulls.
However, in an interview with DAZN, Stella claimed Verstappen, Norris and Alonso would be the best drivers on the grid if everyone was given the same car. "Oscar [Piastri] is talented and let me say intelligent," Stella began.
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"His brain capabilities are very high. He has very interesting characteristics. I would say that he is very calm. Lando is already one of the best drivers on the grid. He is very fast, very good in the race, with tyre management.
McLaren chief Andrea Stella has named his top three Formula 1 drivers (Gongora/NurPhoto via Getty Images)"When I think about Lando, I think that if the team and I gave him a good car, he would be able to fight for the championship. When we talk about being the most complete, I definitely think of Fernando Alonso.
"He basically has no weaknesses. I think this makes him unique. He is not the best in many things, but he is very strong in all of them. I think that in Oscar I see his powerful mind. He is definitely like Fernando. He can do mathematical calculations while driving.
"On the other hand, Lando, I think his development as a driver will make him so complete. He reminds me a little of Fernando. My top three drivers with the same cars would be Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and Fernando Alonso."