Winning an F1 championship title is no mean feat and Max Verstappen has done it twice in as many years. The manner in which he achieved his second puts the word “dominant” to shame. The Dutchman broke several records along the way, setting the 15 race wins in a season record while at it. That being said, there still remains a list of the best among the elite in the sport that he is yet to register his name in. As the question came up whether he was capable of getting there in 2023, all hell broke loose between his fans and Lewis Hamilton.
Owing to the car facing issues of being overweight and reliability, Red Bull did not start the 2022 season in the fashion they ended the one in 2021. However, once those issues were taken care of, Verstappen put up a glorious display for fans that they’ll remember for a very long time. As he carried on with all his might, experts drew comparisons between him and one of the greatest this sport has ever seen, Michael Schumacher.
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton fans slug it out again on the internet
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Being compared with the likes of Schumacher is no less of an achievement. But being compared and actually replicating his achievements are two very different things. Schumi Sr. is a part of the list of only 4 drivers who have won three back-to-back F1 champions. The other three are Juan Manuel Fangio, Sebastian Vettel, and Lewis Hamilton. Max could join them if he manages to win the championship once again in 2023.
That is exactly what became the bone of contention between Hamilton fans and his when ESPN asked whether he could achieve it on Twitter. Have a look at some reactions to the post.
Max only won 1 championships.. remember you robbed Lewis hs 8th championship 2021 we haven’t forgt you knw💀 https://t.co/UjuNSAb4rm
— Gretchy (@Gretchen_Ndou) February 18, 2023
After Max won the 2021 title under controversial circumstances, Hamilton fans refused to recognize his achievement. Some refused to recognize either of his championships since the cost cap controversy came to the fore.
He still needs to win his first legitimet.#HumanErrorChampion https://t.co/L7FNplDPwv
— Unicorn🦄 (@hamburgerh0tdog) February 17, 2023
if he does i’ll steal it from him like he did lewis https://t.co/8SbyKrWqm8
— elle (@gissellexsan) February 17, 2023
After the horrible season Hamilton had in 2022, many believed he was ready to bounce back in the upcoming brand-new campaign. If he does manage to win the title in 2023, Lewis will officially become the greatest in the sport as no other driver in the history of F1 has won it 8 times.
no because sir lewis will win it this time and become the first to win 8 wc https://t.co/Z1OhRTnrdB
— vasto lorde (@amieruladliee) February 18, 2023
Hope not. 8th for Lewis or 1st for George. Oh btw, Shumacher won so called back-to-back-to-back WC with Ferrari. Use correct pic at least https://t.co/PalBDBODuB
— ruzanna rosle (@zanarosle) February 18, 2023
And then there were Verstappen fans who obviously had no doubt that their hero was capable of getting his name registered among the best of the best.
Hell Yeah!! https://t.co/P4pP7crGF3
— Rajesh D'souza (@rajracing19) February 18, 2023
If one driver who is capable of it, it's Max. His drive is superior to other drivers in the grid rn. I can't wait to see him back out. https://t.co/HTYqlaZ723
— Karthikeyan (@ptrkarthikeyan) February 18, 2023
3 peat this year 🏆🏆🏆 https://t.co/jEfpOr8C7f
— Ismael Romero (@MayeloRomero) February 18, 2023
Some fans highlighted the need for Red Bull to deliver a car capable enough for Max to achieve the feat.
Of course he can as long as his rb19 is like a rocketship. https://t.co/NVHj9WJQeI
— 𝘜𝘻𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘪 𝘉𝘰𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘰 (@Uzumkiboruto) February 17, 2023
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Watch This Story: Max Verstappen: ‘Is my title tarnished? Not at all. I really deserved it’
Hoping for a 3rd champ in a row🙏 https://t.co/KTrz1MCCcQ
— izaaaa. (@m_ylzyy) February 18, 2023
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The citizens of Twitter have given their divided verdict. What are your predictions? Let us know in the comments below.