Formula 1 legend claims it is 'difficult to justify' calling Hamilton the best driver
Sir Jackie Stewart, a renowned figure in the world of Formula 1, expressed doubts about Lewis Hamilton's status as the greatest driver in the history of the sport. Despite Hamilton's impressive record, including seven world titles and surpassing Michael Schumacher's race win record, Stewart believes it is challenging to compare his achievements with those of the past.
Busy modern-day calendar and superior car raise questions
In an interview on the In The Fast Lane podcast last year, Stewart explained that the modern-day racing calendar, which includes more races than in the past, makes it difficult to compare drivers across different eras. Furthermore, he pointed out that Hamilton's car and engine at Mercedes-Benz provide him with a significant advantage over his competitors, posing a challenge in assessing his greatness.
Stewart's personal rankings
Due to the aforementioned difficulties in comparison, Sir Jackie Stewart does not even have Lewis Hamilton in his top three racing drivers of all time. According to him, Juan Manuel Fangio, who won five world titles in the 1950s, holds the top spot. Stewart considers Jim Clark, a two-time world champion in the 1960s, as the second-greatest, placing him even ahead of Ayrton Senna, who won three world titles in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Hamilton's new contract extension
While Hamilton's status as the greatest driver of all time may be disputed, he continues to make headlines. Recently, he signed a new contract extension with Mercedes, securing his position in the team for another two years. The deal is reportedly worth £100 million.
