Lewis Hamilton: The Best Ever?

[Paul Jeffrey]

Mercedes chief Toto Wolff has suggested Lewis Hamilton may well be the "best driver that has ever existed" - do you agree?

Having already wrapped up five World Championships and pretty much set fair for his sixth this season, surpassing Michael Schumacher's record of Pole Positions and on course to overtake the Germans record 91 Grand Prix Victories, at 34 years of age, Lewis Hamilton is likely to end his Formula One career with almost every worthwhile Grand Prix record to his name.

In a recent discussion with the motorsport media, his current team boss Toto Wolff has suggested fans should recognise the talent that Hamilton is displaying, going on to state his belief that the Englishman is the "best driver that has ever existed". A pretty bold claim, and one that is certainly backed up by plenty of facts.

Always difficult to make a judgement on drivers from different eras, especially so when one considers Hamilton has often had a dominant car at his disposal throughout his career. The question is, do you think the current championship leader deserves to be considered the greatest driver in the history of the sport?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!

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[erba72]

I'm not gonna explain why I said that, but YES and NO would be my answer.

 

[samcar304]

There is no "Greatest Ever", there is "Greats". Its an orchestra, not a one man band.

 

[Lentoveloz]

No. But it's among the big ones.

 

[magicalo_14]

Don't think there's a GOAT in F1, but the 5 greats of 'recent' decades are (without specific order): Senna, Prost, Schumacher, Alonso and Hamilton imo

 

[thepharcyde]

Best car always helps.

 

[Koen Verlinde]

Hamilton has an incredible talent, amazing personality and has matured over the years.

However, he is for me not the best ever. Cause through eternity, limits progress.

 

[Shovas]

Missing option: Maybe?

It depends, and we can never know because we can't go back to different eras.

Could Lewis have handled old school cars, tracks and rules? And vice versa, could a Senna or Schumacher have handled modern cars, tracks and rules?

Maybe?

 

[thepharcyde]

Nigel Mansell was the best racing driver ever lol

 

[larre90]

He never raced against me, therefore I cannot tell.

 

[PeteRichardson]

I suppose winning 4 titles in 5 years is easy when your car is the most dominant on the grid. If his talent had really been that overpowering he'd have won titles between 2009-13 too... Yes. He has talent, but he's had a car that's nigh on unstoppable since 2014. Only falling out with mechanics stopped him in 2016.

 

[thepharcyde]

Is "best ever" even limited to F1 - plenty of rally drivers would surpass F1 drivers IMO

 

[Xtriko]

The only driver who ever had a competitive car and you start a pool? what a joke... is racedepartment now working with FIA? xD Please... Stop advocating rage between fans.

 

[rubaru]

Put all of the drivers on today's grid into the same car, then we'll know for sure who is best. Who knows...maybe Giovinazzi or Albon would kick his butt.

 

[popo87]

can you imagine if barrichello had won a title in the schumacher era?
great driver certainly and full of talent but he has few of the qualities that I prefer in a pilot. it has been very thorough over the years, remember at the nurburgring in the race what the crane did? however after valencia 2012 I would struggle to express myself objectively.

 

[Jason Mullin]

I think to call one individual man or woman the best driver ever casts a shadow on Motorsport.

Is he the best F1 driver ever? Possibly.
But I guarantee he can't beat Sabine Schmitz around the ring in an M5.

Too many disciplines, too many variables to call only one the best.

 

[Motowntom]

Ha,Ha,Ha,Ha,Ha,Ha.....Ha,Ha,Ha,Ha,Ha....... Ah,Ha,Ha,Ha,Ha,Ha......

 

[Xtriko]

PS. Not The Best Ever. Period.

 

[Andor]

Different time ,different cars and very different rules.Not have only one best pilot!
The Mercedes team is very good team and just time the best.But Hamilton WC trophys not have big value. 5 WC there is no reason he's the best.Today's young people do not understand F1. They're cheering for Hamilton because they always win. They think it's cool! Young people watch F1 from 2014 and they think Hamilton wins, so he's the best!But that's not true!

 

[Dobermann92]

He is good, but he also has the best car in the field, so....