The 10 best F1 driver pairings of the 21st century : PlanetF1

Being a team-mate in F1 is unlike any other sport – for while you want your partner to do well, you don’t want him to do as well as you.

By definition, F1 is a team game as much as it is an individual one with the current 10 constructors battling it out for a championship of their own – but ask any driver which one of the titles is the most important and it’s an easy answer.

That means teams, and crucially team principals, find themselves in the difficult role of peacemaker, encouraging both drivers to do well but not to the detriment of the team itself.

But how do they rank in comparison? Well PlanetF1.com has taken a look at the last 23 years to determine just who have been the best driver pairing of the 21st century.

It’s important to state that this list is not solely based on statistics but instead on how talented and competitive both drivers in a pairing were.

With that in mind, let’s get started…

10. Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen (Red Bull 2016-2018)

Just sneaking into this list is Ricciardo and Verstappen, for while they perhaps did not show their best form during their time together it proved a pivotal moment for the pair of them.

Ricciardo has impressed in his Red Bull career so far but following Vettel’s departure, a young Verstappen represented the hardest challenge he would face.

The Dutchman set his stall out early, winning his first race in the seat, and together they would win nine grands prix together, a figure that could have been a lot more had Mercedes not been so dominant at the time.

Their time together would be most remembered by that infamous crash in Baku in 2018 but ultimately it would be Verstappen who would win. Ricciardo sensed which way the wind was blowing and departed for pastures new at Renault.

9. Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button (Honda/Brawn 2006-2009)

Button and Barrichello earn their place on this list for keeping their cool despite being at the centre of one of the biggest stories in F1 history.

Both drivers entered 2009 not just out of the title running but almost questioning what was left in their career.

Button was 29 with just one win to his name and a career-best of P3 in the Drivers’ standings. Such was his desperation to stay in the sport, he opted to take a pay cut to stay with Brawn following the takeover of Honda.

Meanwhile, Barrichello was 36 and in the twilight of his career. Even the year started with rumours that he may be about to be replaced by the nephew of a man he had once driven against in Ayrton Senna.

But the miracle did happen. The double diffuser invention set Brawn a cut above and Button in particular made the most of their early advantage to secure a hold on the title. The other teams would cut the gap but Button held on while Barrichello finished third, helping Brawn to secure both titles in what would be the team’s solitary year of competition.

8. Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari 2019-2020)

The master teaches the student, not…