Max Verstappen left the audience surprised after beating Lewis Hamilton in 2021. The seven-time champion had a streak of championships and was only a few miles away from clinching his 8th title. However, the Dutchman, who previously equaled his points, overtook the Brit and won the Championship. Although the championship win is shelved as one of the controversies of Formula 1.
However, Hamilton has not backed off yet. This has risen a lot of debate on which driver is the better one. Previously, multiple drivers have talked about the two or chosen their sides. But recently, Eddie Jordan, owner of the former F1 team, Jordan Grand Prix, and David Coulthard had a conversation on Formula For Success Podcast.
On the Podcast, Jordan debated how Lewis Hamilton has crossed his age and therefore has a lesser chance of beating Max Verstappen. Jordan believes that while the Brit still wins a few races, he may not be at the age where he can challenge Max Verstappen. Meanwhile, Verstappen is at the perfect age and has the right drive to win his championships.
Eddie Jordan, quoted by Crash.net, said, “I think in the same car, right at this moment as we speak with the same ages it has to be Max.” In his perspective, even if Hamilton is given the same car, Verstappen will beat Hamilton solely because of his age. But the debate of whether Prime Hamilton can be beaten by Max Verstappen still rises.
Fans debate on Verstappen-Hamilton pinnacle
Fans have now taken it upon themselves to debate the possibilities of which of the two drivers can beat the other. Hamilton has reached a milestone in his career. His pedestal has him standing with seven championship titles, 103 race wins, and 104 pole positions.
He has also won a total of 193 podiums. However, Max Verstappen has only now started his dominance in the sport. He has won 15 of the last 22 races from the previous year.
With this, it would only be a matter of time before the Dutchman beats all of Hamilton’s records too. However, fans have raised the debate between the two. Some say Hamilton is better since he has won seven championships even while having other drivers who could beat him amidst his dominance. However, some raise the point that Verstappen is so skilled no one has been able to reach him.
One fan commented in favor of Max, “Of course, Max is better he was better than Lewis when Lewis was in his prime …. Right now it’s not even comparable”
While Sir Hamilton fans commented, “Disagree. Lewis has mostly had decent teammates. Max hasn’t, red bull has always been catered to Max and everything in that team revolves around him. Put Max and Lewis both at Merc where both are able to fight, I think Lewis would come out on top. Max wouldn’t cope with close battles”
While the two fanbases have taken it upon themselves to debate who is better, Coulthard has other opinions. David Coulthard was also on the podcast with Jordan when he voiced his opinion. He said that having Verstappen and Hamilton battle in the same team would be a repetition of history.
Coulthard believes the Max Verstappen-Lewis Hamilton team will be like Senna-Prost
David Coulthard, on the contrary, believes the duo will be a much bigger competition in the same team. The Dutchman and Brit will push to the limits to see themselves win against the other. The two have been competing against each other for quite a while. Even after being miles ahead of Hamilton, Verstappen seems bothered by the fact that he can be challenged by the Mercedes anytime.
According to Coulthard, this is a Senna-Prosts situation. He said on the Podcast, “I still reckon Lewis has got it. If they were in the same team there would be some contact. It would be Prost-Senna.”
He says that both Hamilton and Verstappen have been busybodies off the tracks. With the Mercedes star pursuing his passions in different fields, the Red Bull star is involved in all things sim racing. Coulthard, nonetheless, would not be the first to draw similarities with Prost-Senna.
Red Bull boss, Helmut Marko has also mentioned that Hamilton being in Red Bull would be just like the two ex-champions being in the same team again. However, Lewis Hamilton has put all ideas to rest. He only recently confirmed to have signed a contract extension with Mercedes. The star has decided to continue his long journey with the Silver Arrows team.