BREAKING NEWS: Lewis Hamilton’s ‘Greatest Rival’ Answer Leaves Max Verstappen OFF the List Completely Due to…
Lewis Hamilton has raced against some of the best drivers in the modern era of F1 during his 19-season stint in the sport, and the seven-time world champion has named the one rival who stands above all others.
Part of the enigma of Lewis Hamilton’s success in F1 comes down to the calibre of drivers he has managed to get the better of during his tenure in the sport.
On his way to seven world titles, the British driver has beaten the likes of Fernando Alonso, Michael Schumacher and Max Verstappen, not forgetting Nico Rosberg and the intense rivalry they shared as Mercedes teammates.
Verstappen could be considered Hamilton’s best rival, given the fact that the Dutchman was the first driver outside of his teammate to take the championship fight to him.
The pair shared a bitter battle in the 2021 season, with Verstappen’s title feat that year kickstarting his period of dominance in the ensuing years.
However, the 40-year-old has another name in mind for the foe whom he found to have the most talent whilst racing wheel-to-wheel.
READ MORE: Max Verstappen tells McLaren drivers he won’t use one tactic he used against Lewis Hamilton in 2021
Lewis Hamilton has seen Ferrari make a ‘pretty impressive’ step that could be crucial for 2026 hopes
Damon Hill delivers Kimi Antonelli verdict and names two F1 rookies who still have ‘more to prove’
Sebastian Vettel tells Oscar Piastri what he needs to do to beat Lando Norris in the F1 championship
Jenson Button finds what ‘almost everyone’ is now saying about Max Verstappen ‘funny’
Oscar Piastri offers honest verdict about putting ‘pressure’ on Lando Norris in Brazilian Grand Prix
Max Verstappen and Helmut Marko agree about his 2025 F1 title bid after Brazilian Grand Prix blunder
Lewis Hamilton names the best Formula 1 driver he’s ever raced against
In a recent interview with Brazilian internet personality Matheus Gonze, the Ferrari star was asked a number of quick-fire questions regarding his career in F1 as well as his interests outside of the paddock.
One of the questions that Hamilton fielded regarded the ‘best driver’ he has ever raced against. After a few moments of deliberation, the Brit answered with, “That’s difficult, I’m going to say Sebastian [Vettel].”
Hamilton and Vettel’s on-track relationship can be epitomised by their title fights in the latter years of the 2010s.
The German driver was often the only man to be able to put up somewhat of a championship battle against Mercedes in the years following Rosberg’s retirement in 2016.
Hamilton and Vettel’s clash at the 2017 Azerbaijan GP was a truly unforgettable flash point in their relationship as rivals, which turned into a friendship in subsequent campaigns.
In fact, Vettel has been a supporter of Hamilton at Ferrari during one of the toughest seasons of the 40-year-old’s career. Hamilton has stated that he will be ‘forever grateful’ for the aid that his former rival has provided over the last 12 months.
READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton says he plans to call 53-win Ferrari legend to share ‘ideas’ about his new team
Lewis Hamilton also recalled an Ayrton Senna-esque performance as the most memorable F1 race of his career
Having won 105 Grands Prix over the course of his glittering career in F1 thus far, Hamilton can be forgiven for not remembering every single race that he has stood on the top step of the podium at.
The topic was brought up during the same interview, when he was asked what the most memorable race of his tenure in the sport has been.
After a few moments of deliberation, the Ferrari star said, “The one I remember the most is probably Silverstone 2008. It was in the wet, and it was the hardest race.”
Then reminded of childhood hero Ayrton Senna’s prowess in wet conditions, Hamilton then added, “Yeah, it was like a Senna race.”
Hamilton dominated the grid at the soaking-wet Silverstone circuit in 2008 as he showcased his generational talent by skating his way to the chequered flag over one minute ahead of Nick Heidfeld in P2.
It was an integral result in Hamilton’s clinching of a maiden world champ
Leave a Reply