Lewis Hamilton has cast doubt over the magnitude of Max Verstappen's recent achievements by claiming the Red Bull driver is yet to be challenged by a teammate.
Seven-time F1 champion Hamilton has suggested that his own teammates have posed a greater challenge across his career, having been paired with World Champions Fernando Alonso, Jenson Button and Nico Rosberg, as well as current teammate George Russell and race winners Valtteri Bottas and Heikki Kovalainen.
Verstappen has not been challenged since being beaten by Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull in 2016 and 2017 and is breaking record after record this term, having run away into a 138-point lead over current teammate Sergio Perez.
The Dutchman equalled Sebastian Vettel and Alberto Ascari's tally of nine consecutive victories at the Dutch Grand Prix to further add his name to the record books.
All very strong
But addressing Verstappen's achievements when speaking to Sky Sports F1, Hamilton insisted: "I wasn't as impressed as when Michael [Schumacher] was leading, when Sebastian [Vettel] was leading, with Kimi [Raikkonen] was driving and when Fernando [Alonso] was winning.
"The whole team [Red Bull] is one of the strongest, they are firing on all cylinders right now. The car is incredible, the drivers are doing an amazing job, the pit crew, mechanics and strategy are all doing a good job, like on point and you can't fault them.
"In my opinion, all of my teammates have been stronger than the teammates that Max has had.
"Jenson [Button], Fernando, George [Russell], Valtteri [Bottas], and Nico [Rosberg].
"All of these guys have been very strong and consistent and Max has not raced against anyone like that."
Do you agree with Lewis Hamilton comments about Max Verstappen's teammates? Let us know in the comments and by voting in the poll below!
Lewis Hamilton vs Max Verstappen F1 teammates
| Hamilton | Verstappen |
|---|---|
| Fernando Alonso - 2007 | Carlos Sainz - 2015-2016 |
| Heikki Kovalainen - 2008-2009 | Daniel Ricciardo 2016-2018 |
| Jenson Button - 2010-2012 | Pierre Gasly - 2019 |
| Nico Rosberg - 2013-2016 | Alex Albon - 2019-2020 |
| Valtteri Bottas - 2017-2021 | Sergio Perez 2021-present |
| George Russell - 2022-present | N/A |
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Pascal Simons
Nou nou het nieuwe contract is getekend en madam begint alweer direct te provoceren.
Lingard Goulding
Incredibly ungracious comments from Hamilton. All of the comments that I have read from other drivers, including especially those from Alonso, have spoken with admiration of Verstappen's recent achievements. Hamilton's snide remarks come at an especially ill-judged time, just after Verstappen has publicly opined that Hamilton's re-signing a contract with Mercedes is good for the sport.
ItWasntMe
However, this doesn't negate the fact that Verstappen hasn't truly faced a challenge from any of his teammates except for Ricciardo. Hamilton, on the other hand, has competed against Alonso and Rosberg, both of whom are world champions. Until now, Verstappen has never been paired with a teammate who is a (former) world champion...
Erwin Van Meirvenne
Verstappen has beaten Hamilton in 2021, in a minor car. Tells the story. Lewis will never get back to his former level when he has a problem admitting he has been beaten by a driver who is worse than him. Doesn't make sense.
buddy-derry#91489
Maybe Max is so good no teammates can match him.
Meint Veldman
Hamilton is a great champion, a legend of F1 already while still active, this makes it extra sad he has to blow his own horn this way.
M vW
He is not a legend at all. He was just an average driver with a rocket car for 7 years.
Meint Veldman
I am not a Hamilton or Mercedes fan, never have been, but regardless of the other factors that always play a part in F1, like the car, the team and luck, if you have a resume like Hamilton you are a legend. Someone can not hold that many records and not be. Doesn't mean I have to be a fan, or even like him, but ignoring the facts makes you look biased. Just as biased as those who now claim Verstappen's dominance is just the car.
flash
Still no mention of the CAR !! Of course Max has the best car at the moment, But so did Hamilton in his Championship years, But He has consistently shied away from the subject. In the Sky interview Hamilton also says no driver was ever imbedded in a team the way He is at Merc ?? Schuemaker / Ferrari immediatly springs to mind. As usual he just has to have his say. Sad that he has,nt matured at all !
This comment has been edited on:
Meint Veldman
Clearly in the modern F1 era, no driver was as central to their team as Shumacher and Ferrari. Anything else is bovine excrement.
flash
During Monza broadcast today, SKy broadcast an interview with Mr. Ferrari. He stated that during his time of development at Ferrari, Schuemaker regularly slept at the factory. Can anyone imagine Hamilton sleeping at the factory.