Key Hamilton and Verstappen difference brutally highlighted

Jacques Villeneuve has underlined the influence Lewis Hamilton holds in F1 with a forthright comparison to rival Max Verstappen.

The 40-year-old has joined Ferrari for the 2025 season, a move the Canadian wagers is the biggest signing in F1 in almost 30 years.

The 1997 drivers' champion compared it to when his title rival that year, Michael Schumacher, switched from Benetton to Ferrari ahead of the 1996 campaign.

When the seismic news of Hamilton heading to Maranello broke almost 12 months ago, the aftershocks rippled through the F1 paddock and global motorsport, something that supports Villeneuve's claim.

In his view, a potential Verstappen exit from F1 would garner significantly more ambivalence than if Hamilton were to call it quits.

"Take Verstappen out of F1, nobody cares. Take Hamilton out of F1, people care," the 53-year-old told The Action Network.

"Lewis Hamilton moving to Ferrari is the most high-profile F1 move since Michael Schumacher left Benetton for Ferrari. Independent of race results, Lewis Hamilton is the biggest driver of all time because of all the following he has."

Hamilton has 'broken the mould' in F1

Villeneuve pointed out that Hamilton now transcends F1, arguing he has "broken the mould" and that very few drivers are in the same realm as the seven-time drivers' champion.

The 11-time grand prix winner spoke to the magnitude of pairing F1's biggest driver with one of the biggest brands in the world.

"He's very different," Villeneuve added. "He’s unique. He’s broken the mould. There's a lot that hangs on him. He has the biggest image. His image goes beyond F1. And there's not many drivers like that.

"Ferrari is also one of the biggest brands in the world, if not the biggest. So, put the two together, of course, it's amazing."