Hamilton as the best in F1 gains traction

Portimao: Damon Hill hailed Lewis Hamilton as the “GOAT” as he and Jackie Stewart topped the tributes on Monday following their compatriot’s 92nd record victory in Sunday’s Portuguese Grand Prix.

“Well, I guess I can’t say that I have won the best F1 driver anymore. Although I had a good streak. Thanks @schumacher and welcome to @LewisHamilton. GOAT, ”1996 world champion Hill said on Twitter. Stewart was less effusive, referring to Hamilton’s “remarkable success” and “enormously impressive career”, but without declaring him one of the best drivers in the sport. “He is without a doubt one of the greatest athletes in history and an inspiration to many young people,” he added, just weeks after excluding him from his top F1 drivers of all time. The comments sparked discussion, not least as it is likely to extend Hamilton’s statistical record of 92 wins after surpassing the record of 91 wins by seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher. He’s also set to match Schumacher’s number of driver titles this season and, in all likelihood, claim an eighth next year. Stewart’s reluctance to include Hamilton or Schumacher alongside his idols – Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio and his Scottish colleague Jim Clark – sparked widespread debate. Few watchers in the paddock agreed, but clues to Hamilton’s success since he was defeated by teammate Nico Rosberg were articulated Sunday night by the team’s head of track performance, Andrew Shovlin, and his rival. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. Stewart, an admirer of Alain Prost’s “professor” style, has often said that he values ​​studied, well-prepared consistency and “smooth” ride over raw speed and aggression in his evaluations. That’s why he overlooked three-time world champion Ayrton Senna, Schumacher, and Hamilton.

Hamilton ‘rarely’ makes mistakes

However, since 2016, Hamilton has transformed his approach and style to become the sport’s most consistent finalist with a record 45 consecutive points and 161 career podiums, a metronomic return that left Verstappen in awe. “Everybody knows he is very fast,” said the Dutchman. “But I think what has also been a very strong point is that he is consistent and he rarely makes a mistake, and that’s why I think he beat these numbers so quickly.” Shovlin, who has overseen all of Hamilton’s races at Mercedes, said Sunday’s masterclass was “one of those days when Lewis was seen in his prime” and demonstrated “the latest version of Lewis.” Shovlin explained that Hamilton showed patience and precision, qualities Stewart admires so much, after a rocky start. “He was pretty calm, losing places early on,” he said. “He did not take risks, he admits that he was a bit cautious in those conditions, but he knew that everything would come back to him. “He clearly had the rhythm in hand a little behind Valtteri. When Valtteri started struggling with the tires … you saw that Lewis was suddenly behind him. With Valtteri struggling, Lewis was able to make that pass. “So he just ran the race. His pace was incredible at times, how much he really had in hand. So I think it was definitely one of his races where it was appropriate to be at the top of the all-time winners list. ” Shovlin also praised Hamilton’s work ethic, his attention to detail and his drive for improvement and perfection, all reasons to praise Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, who suggested: “In 10 to 20 years we will look back and really recognize how special it is. driver that he was. “Hill acknowledged this:” His talent is supreme. There is not a single racing driver who has not looked enviously at Lewis Hamilton’s skills and thought, ‘What must it be like to be so brilliant? As Hamilton racks up more titles and records with the traits that made the studious Stewart a great driver, there may be little room for discussion.