David Coulthard has given Max Verstappen a massive compliment, saying the Red Bull driver still qualifies as the benchmark talent on the 2026 F1 grid despite Mercedes absolutely dominating the championship through Andrea Kimi Antonelli and George Russell. Even though Hamilton's seven world titles and Verstappen's four are stacked against them, Coulthard reckons Max is the guy who makes everyone sit up and pay attention whenever he hits the track. There's an edge to him that the legendary former driver can't ignore, something that separates the truly brilliant from the rest.

More F1 news: Bahrain GP Predictions: Russell's Baku High Meets Antonelli's Wall, Rain Looms Over Sepang

Here's the thing, though. Coulthard's singling out a specific quality that separates Verstappen from Hamilton, and it's pure racing instinct. Max shares that ruthless mentality with Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna, the kind of driver who'll always hunt for a gap if one exists. Remember Senna's famous line about not being a racing driver if you stop going for those opportunities? Verstappen's got that DNA. He'll take a chance that others won't, and that's what gets Coulthard genuinely excited about watching him race. Hamilton, by contrast, doesn't deliver that same spark for the Scottish former driver, even with all those championships to his name.

More F1 news: Oscar Piastri Explains Why 2026 Cars Don't Suit His Driving Style, and Jolyon Palmer's Got Thoughts

The perfect example came at the Hungarian Grand Prix earlier this season when Verstappen absolutely schooled Hamilton with a late-braking pass at Turn 1. Max had just pitted and lost position to Lewis, but he came back with a move that had everyone talking. Hamilton had to turn out of the corner to avoid contact as Verstappen came charging through. Yeah, there was a bit of fortune involved, with Hamilton losing time to Liam Lawson earlier, but that's the point, really. Verstappen saw the opportunity and executed without hesitation.

More F1 news: Colapinto Compares Norris to Verstappen After Baku Crash Drama, Says Max Is a Real Champion

It's been a tough 2026 for Red Bull, so Verstappen hasn't had many chances to showcase that killer instinct consistently. But those moments when he does, they remind everyone why he's still the yardstick against which every other driver is measured. Coulthard told Formula Maximale that even with Mercedes running away with the championship, Verstappen's the one who makes you sit forward on your couch. That's the intangible quality that separates champions from champions, and it's something Hamilton's never quite possessed in the same way.

Shop the collection: Max Verstappen merch  •  Lewis Hamilton merch  •  George Russell merch  •  Kimi Antonelli merch  •  Michael Schumacher merch  •  Ayrton Senna merch  •  Red Bull Racing merch  •  Mercedes-AMG merch  •  Scuderia Ferrari merch