196 podiums. 104 pole positions. 103 race wins. 7 World Championships. Does Lewis Hamilton even need an introduction anymore? The Stevenage-born driver is in his 17th season in Formula 1. Through the years, he’s become one of the most influential sportspeople in the world, not just because of his monumental achievements but also for everything he’s done to improve the sport. Speaking of achievements, he came oh-so-close to winning a record-breaking eighth world title in 2021. Max Verstappen was the one to snatch it away from him. Since then, the Dutchman has taken over the reins of F1. Needless to say, they’re both going head-to-head in the battle for F1 supremacy.

Before Liberty Media took over F1 in 2017, Bernie Ecclestone led the sport. With an ownership that lasted 40 years, the mogul is now worth a whopping $2.9 billion. In those 40 years, he watched F1 grow, with veterans making way for new talent coming through. Amidst this Verstappen versus Hamilton debate, Ecclestone gave his argument.

Bernie Ecclestone’s forgetful antics are back

The former F1 owner has been in the news quite often lately. Why? It’s all to do with the 2008 championship—a battle between Hamilton and Felipe Massa. The Singapore GP that year saw Crashgate, one of the darkest moments in F1 history. In a recent interview, Ecclestone revealed he had conclusive evidence to declare that race null and void but chose not to. Considering the repercussions, Massa filed a $13 million lawsuit against the FIA. When Reuters approached Ecclestone about the interview, he said, “I don’t remember any of this, to be honest. I don’t remember giving the interview for sure.” 

Well, it looks like Ecclestone is using the same forgetful tactics to disregard Hamilton’s achievements. Despite being the most successful driver in F1 history, Ecclestone believes Verstappen is in a league of his own. Speaking to Daily Mail, as reported by GBNews, he said,  “Max is the best driver ever. No doubts. I used to say, Alain Prost. Now, I would say Max. He’s the greatest. He is the brightest with regards to getting the best out of the car. He doesn’t muck around and gets right on the program. In my list, he is above Lewis Hamilton.”

There’s no doubt that Verstappen is on his way to breaking as many records as possible. With the talent and mindset he possesses, it’s almost inevitable. Even Hamilton feels Verstappen will surpass him in the all-time wins department. Considering the Dutchman is 25 and already has 47 wins to his name, it could very well be a possibility. Maybe this is what urged Ecclestone to say he thinks Verstappen is the greatest driver. Hamilton may disagree with Ecclestone, but there’s one thing no one can deny: This is Verstappen’s time, and no one can take it away from him. Or can they?

Read More: Despite 103 Wins & 7 Titles, Lewis Hamilton’s Mega Record Put to Shame by Max Verstappen Camp

Lewis Hamilton undermined Max Verstappen’s dominance

Coming into the Singapore GP, Verstappen was on a 10-race-winning streak. After he equaled Sebastian Vettel’s record of nine in a row at the Dutch GP, Hamilton was asked about Verstappen’s dominance. He said, “In my personal opinion, Valtteri [Bottas] and all my teammates have been stronger than the teammates Max has had.” To add to this, after the reigning champion broke the record in Monza, Toto Wolff undermined him further. He said, “I mean, our situation was maybe a little bit different because we had two guys fighting against each other within the team. Those numbers are for Wikipedia. Nobody reads that anyway.”

Well, Verstappen didn’t just sit back and listen. He set the record straight about his priorities (and they don’t include Hamilton). He said, “It’s not nice of Hamilton towards the teammates I had, but it is ironic that after that interview of his in Monza, many of my teammates were ahead of him in qualifying. I am not focused on others but on my own performance. Maybe there is a little jealousy. Nice for Netflix? That doesn’t really matter to me.”

Who do you rate as a better driver? Max Verstappen or Lewis Hamilton?

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