Team bosses name Hamilton top F1 driver in paddock survey
Lewis Hamilton has been voted the best driver in Formula One by all ten team principals, outscoring Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso in a poll conducted by Auto Bild.
Lewis Hamilton was named the best driver in Formula One by all ten team principals, according to a survey conducted by Germany's Auto Bild magazine in 2015. The Mercedes driver, then 30, finished well clear of Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel and McLaren-Honda’s Fernando Alonso in the poll. Auto Bild surveyed every F1 team principal, and the results were published in June 2015.
Lewis Hamilton Voted Best Driver by F1 Team Bosses in 2015
Survey Results: Hamilton Leads the Pack
Hamilton received 35 points, topping the poll. Sebastian Vettel was second with 22 points, and Fernando Alonso placed third with 12 points. The survey was based on team bosses’ assessments of driver performance and reputation, rather than championship points. At the time, Hamilton was the reigning world champion and leading the 2015 championship in a dominant Mercedes car.
| Driver | Points |
|---|---|
| Lewis Hamilton | 35 |
| Sebastian Vettel | 22 |
| Fernando Alonso | 12 |
The survey’s outcome reflected the collective view of the paddock’s top decision-makers. All ten team principals participated, making the result a strong indicator of how Hamilton was regarded by those closest to the sport’s inner workings. The margin was notable: Hamilton outpolled Vettel by 13 points and Alonso by 23.
Team Bosses’ Reasoning and Perspectives
Ferrari’s Maurizio Arrivabene highlighted Hamilton’s speed, mental strength, and consistency. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said the vote justified the team’s decision to extend Hamilton’s contract, describing him as exceptional and constantly developing. Wolff also noted Hamilton’s ability to recover from setbacks, referencing his response to the team’s Monaco pit stop error earlier that season.
Toro Rosso’s Franz Tost offered a different perspective, suggesting Vettel’s reputation had grown thanks to his work in revitalising Ferrari. Tost argued Alonso’s standing had dropped, attributing it to the Spaniard’s decision to join McLaren-Honda, which he felt left Alonso in a difficult position. Tost said Vettel was the smartest, but the overall vote still placed Hamilton on top.
Context: The State of F1 in 2015
The survey took place during a period of clear dominance by Mercedes. Hamilton had already secured two world titles and was leading the 2015 championship, while Mercedes enjoyed a significant performance advantage over rivals. Vettel had recently joined Ferrari and was credited with helping to rejuvenate the team after several difficult seasons. Alonso, meanwhile, was struggling with McLaren-Honda’s lack of competitiveness, which affected how team principals viewed his current value despite his two world championships.
The team principals’ votes reflected not only the drivers’ raw speed, but also their consistency, resilience, and impact within their teams. Hamilton’s ability to deliver results under pressure and bounce back from setbacks was repeatedly cited as a key factor in his favour. Vettel’s intelligence and leadership at Ferrari were recognised, while Alonso’s move to McLaren-Honda was seen as a setback for his standing in the paddock.
Significance of the Survey
This survey provides a snapshot of how F1’s key insiders assessed driver talent and reputation at a pivotal stage in the sport. Team principals are responsible for making the most critical decisions about drivers and car development, so their collective opinion carries significant weight. The results underline the respect Hamilton commanded among his peers, not just for his on-track achievements, but also for his influence within the team and his mental strength.
While public and media opinion often focus on race wins and championship standings, the team bosses’ poll offers insight into the qualities valued most by those running the teams. Hamilton’s status as the clear favourite in this survey illustrates the high regard in which he was held by those with the closest view of the sport.
Summary Table: Key Points from the 2015 Survey
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Survey organiser | Auto Bild (Germany) |
| Year conducted | 2015 |
| Participants | All ten F1 team principals |
| Winner | Lewis Hamilton |
| Points for Hamilton | 35 |
| Runner-up | Sebastian Vettel (22 points) |
| Third place | Fernando Alonso (12 points) |
| Main criteria | Performance, consistency, mental strength, team impact |
