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via Imago
Image Courtesy: Imago Lewis Hamilton (L) and Max Verstappen (R)
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via Imago
Image Courtesy: Imago Lewis Hamilton (L) and Max Verstappen (R)
Since the beginning of time, comparison has been part of humankind’s societal structure. Humans always like to pit, compare and quantify two entities. The world of sports became the epitome of this social experiment. Formula 1 is among many that qualify and since the begging of the sport we have pitted and compared two great drivers. In the current lineup, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen often are the test subjects. For many years, Hamilton was the clear winner of this competition. However, in the last couple of years, Max Verstappen has taken over the jungle. Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve is of the same opinion as he exposed the chink in Hamilton’s armor.
The Dutchman won the 2022 season’s championship with utter dominance and in an incredible fashion. This is exactly why the Canadian world champion believes the Red Bull man is a class apart. He expressed his opinion to the media as quoted by Motorsport-Nextgen.
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2023-06-18T195733Z_1392275109_UP1EJ6I1JFUL9_RTRMADP_3_MOTOR-F1-CANADA.jpg?width=150&blur=15)
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Canadian Grand Prix – Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal, Canada – June 18, 2023. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen celebrates on the podium after winning the race alongside third placed Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton. REUTERS/Mathieu Belanger
Villeneuve explained, “Lewis goes up and down a lot in performance, it depends on the weekends. But he was always like that, every season, even when he was winning. He never had a perfect year like Verstappen, from start to finish. end of a season. Once he won the title, he often slacked off.” [Translated via Google]
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Speaking about Verstappen, he said, “If you look at most other drivers, they all have their ups and downs, often with quite a few differences between them. Not him. I really don’t know where he gets all that energy from. When he’s like that, which is pretty much all the time, he’s unbeatable.”
Read More: “Hungrier” Lion Lewis Hamilton Issues a Thunderous Warning to Max Verstappen Before the D-Day
The Canadian is convinced of Verstappen’s superiority and now even Hamilton agrees. However, is the former champion alone in this assessment? Certainly not!
A clear winner chosen between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen in an ideal scenario
Ever since the start of the 2022 season, Hamilton has suffered and Verstappen has conquered the F1 world. However, that does not completely diminish Hamilton’s past achievements. Now, adding himself into the mix in 2023, Fernando Alonso has showcased his mettle. This sparked a debate about who would be the best among the three in the ideal case scenario. An ideal case in the world of F1 being “equal machinery”. According to former boss Eddie Jordan, his pick still would be the reigning world champion Max Verstappen.
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![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2023-06-18T202246Z_1009704750_UP1EJ6I1KLUMF_RTRMADP_3_MOTOR-F1-CANADA.jpg?width=150&blur=15)
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Canadian Grand Prix – Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal, Canada – June 18, 2023. Race winner Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, second placed. Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and third-placed. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton celebrate with sparkling wine on the podium. Red Bull chief technology officer Adrian Newey drinks from a bottle. REUTERS/Mathieu Belanger
He said, “At the moment, I’d say that Max Verstappen would still win if Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, and Fernando Alonso were in equal machinery. Verstappen has a new inner belief of himself and will continue to improve.”
We may never be able to test this theory. However, the former boss is convinced.
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In fact, Verstappen’s performance in the current season has added to his belief. As for the general opinion, seeing Verstappen put on incredible performances one after the other? Who can disagree?
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