Who is currently the best driver in Formula 1? Ex-F1 team boss Franz Tost has a clear answer in his eyes.
Former F1 team principal Franz Tost has declared that Max Verstappen is the top driver in the sport, a belief he finds unequivocal. Tost presided over Red Bull’s feeder team, now Racing Bulls, from 2006 to 2023, including managing Verstappen briefly. Verstappen, who Tost oversaw at Toro Rosso in 2015 when the Dutchman was just 17, is endorsed by Tost as the premier driver in F1. Tost also commends Kimi Antonelli’s skills, remarking on his outstanding performance and the promising talents of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Antonelli’s exceptional start to the 2026 season, with four consecutive wins and a substantial championship lead, has left Tost impressed with the 19-year-old’s composed driving. Max Verstappen remains Tost’s choice for the best driver in Formula 1, while Kimi Antonelli’s stellar start and poised driving style are earning him recognition as a new standout alongside rising stars Norris and Piastri.
