Lewis Hamilton has been criticised by Italian motorsport legend Riccardo Patrese for lacking a trait that rival Max Verstappen has repeatedly demonstrated. Patrese, a former Formula One racer, questioned whether Hamilton belongs in the same category as drivers who can win races even when their car is not the best on the grid.
Hamilton is the most successful driver in Formula One history, with seven titles matched only by Michael Schumacher, while holding outright records for the most race wins, podiums and pole positions. Six of those titles and the vast majority of his wins came during his time at Mercedes, who dominated the sport with eight consecutive constructors' championships.
Hamilton's Ferrari struggles
Since joining Ferrari, Hamilton's achievements have been more modest. He won only one sprint race in his first season in red last year, while this campaign has brought multiple podiums, a first grand prix victory and a maiden pole position. However, his progress has been limited by Ferrari's shortcomings, with the team lacking engine power relative to Mercedes and Red Bull, particularly on circuits with long straights.
Patrese's comparison
Patrese, who ranks Verstappen alongside Schumacher and Ayrton Senna, told Jackpot City Casino: "When I was driving, Senna and Schumacher were superior to anybody. But with the numbers Lewis has in his career, you must put him in that league."
He added: "I always prefer to judge the drivers I drove against, and in my 17 years of Formula 1 the two best were Senna and Schumacher. But you must put drivers like Lewis in that league – better than Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Nelson Piquet. Lewis had very good cars that were leading cars, and he won, no doubt about that."
Patrese continued: "But drivers like Senna, Schumacher, and Verstappen can make the difference and win races even if they don't have the very top car. Lewis had a car that allowed him to be in front, but he always showed a fantastic talent."
Verstappen's form
Verstappen has been the standout driver in the second half of the season, with his drive from 21st on the grid to finish second in Sao Paulo extending his podium streak to eight, longer than any other driver including champion Kimi Antonelli. He has also outscored every other driver over the last 10 race weekends, overtaking Hamilton and George Russell to move to second in the drivers' standings.
Patrese believes Verstappen will consolidate second place ahead of Hamilton, saying: "Verstappen has the better chance to finish second because he has a good car. In the last three or four races, he's always there. He wins. It's difficult to get second place away from Verstappen in this kind of form, especially when his car seems to be much better now."
Verstappen's performances have surprised even Red Bull, with team principal Laurent Mekies reacting to his comeback drive in Brazil: "I think no simulator in the world will predict that you go from P21 to P2, or that you get 14 places in five laps – there is no sim able to do that. He's beating the sim on a regular basis."
