There are always debates in the sport when it comes to determining the best individual in each particular field.
In basketball, there are discussions about Michael Jordan or LeBron James, whilst in football, it now rages over Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Whilst it doesn’t get as passionate in F1, there is also talk about how Lewis Hamilton compares to Michael Schumacher. Whether you think the Englishman is better than the German legend or not close to him at all, Hamilton’s stats show that he deserves huge respect when you analyze his career.
A victory in the Spanish Grand Prix back in August saw Lewis Hamilton achieve his 156th podium finish, taking him above Schumacher. He also matched Schumacher’s record of 91 wins with victory in the Eifel Grand Prix. With many expecting the 35-year-old to compete at the highest level for a few more years yet, there will be further records that he is sure to break along the way.
The spirit of the people is greater than the corrupted system. pic.twitter.com/vMuD1g2zGU
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) September 30, 2020
Yet, despite his undoubted ability on the track, Hamilton is a figure that does divide opinion with a section of the public. Even though he won the Sports Personality of the Year award in 2014, his reputation has suffered since then.
In fairness, some of that’s not down to him. The fact he regularly speaks out on public issues and has his own unique fashion appears to rub some people up the wrong way. Whereas others believe he’s right to express his own views and that should be encouraged.
However, another criticism regularly leveled at Hamilton is that he only wins because he drives the best car.
Of course, there is an element of truth to that. There’s no getting away from the fact that Mercedes have been significantly superior to their rivals in recent years. This is why when you check the latest F1 odds Hamilton will nearly always start as favorite to win the race and also why they are way out in front in the constructor standings. It’s been that way for some time now and doesn’t look like it will change anytime soon.
So, there’s no point pretending that Hamilton is performing miracles by winning titles with the backing he has. However, that takes away from the hard work that Hamilton has put in to reach the top of his particular sport. He has worked his way into these positions and he has constantly delivered even when under pressure.
Plus, he’s done it consistently. He has seen off rivals, and even teammates, time and time again over the years, ensuring he is the main man for his team by getting the results that they demand. That shows the mentality of the sportsman, along with the commitment and passion he has for his job.
Ultimately, that may not be enough to convince some that Hamilton deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as Schumacher and that’s understandable. But, there can be no denying that he has carved his name into the record books and has left a legacy in the sport. This warrants huge praise and is something that will mean he is remembered for a long, long time.
