Lewis Hamilton refuses to rank Max Verstappen in his list of all-time greats

Lewis Hamilton believes that the rankings are subjective, opinion-based.

Lewis Hamilton refuses to rank Max Verstappen in his list of all-time greats

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton (Via IMAGO)

Max Verstappen has his grip on the third world title, securing an impressive 13 victories in 16 races. The looming prospect of clinching the championship in the upcoming Sprint Race adds intensity. Red Bull, having secured their sixth world title weeks prior, eyes a double triumph this weekend. Despite these remarkable feats, Lewis Hamilton asserts that Max’s achievements don’t earn him a spot on the all-time greats list.

The Hamilton-Verstappen relationship bears scars from their acrimonious 2021 title clash, which was intensified following the controversial last-lap win of Max. Subsequently, Max Verstappen clinched the title in 2022 while Hamilton grappled with Mercedes’ performance slump. This season mirrors the struggle, highlighting the ongoing saga of their competitive dynamic. 

Since the 2023 season’s inception, Red Bull and Max Verstappen showcased an almost invincible aura, triumphing in every race except one. Verstappen’s imminent third consecutive title looms at the Qatar GP. When asked about Max’s potential inclusion among F1 greats, Hamilton dismissed rankings as ‘opinion-based’ but praised both the team and Verstappen’s stellar season.

“I wouldn’t rank him, I think ranking people is an opinion-based thing,“ the 38-year-old said, as quoted by Silver Arrows.net. Lewis believes Red Bull and Max have raised the bar and were flawless this season. Acknowledging their success, he said, “I think he’s earned his position. He’s done an amazing job with the package that he has.” Hamilton added, “Him and the team have been phenomenal this year, faultless, and I think they’ve raised the bar.”

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Lewis Hamilton hopes that Mercedes will fix their woes soon and challenge Max Verstappen

The 2023 season has been a challenging one for Mercedes, grappling with performance deficits since the previous year. Although they’ve made progress this season, Red Bull’s dominance has been unassailable. Hamilton, one of the few drivers securing pole positions for Mercedes, highlights the team’s struggle and the rarity of their high points in a fiercely competitive season.

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen (Credits: Planet F1)

However, he hopes that the team can improve and challenge Red Bull soon stating, “I do hope at some stage we can fight them and actually have them in a defending position, but they should definitely enjoy the moment because they’ve worked for it.” The Briton emphasized team assessment, urging a focus on identified areas for development to match and compete with the competition effectively.

In a sport driven by competition and prestige, Hamilton’s refusal to rank Max may hint at a respect for individual journeys. His focus on personal achievements, mirroring his childhood idol Ayrton Senna, underscores a philosophy that transcends mere comparisons. As Hamilton says, “For me, I didn’t think about all the other champions, I only thought about Ayrton.”

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