Why Hamilton is rapidly becoming Britain’s Greatest F1 driver
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Lewis Hamilton again displayed his supreme talent at the weekend with another sterling drive at the British Grand Prix. With 47 wins and three world titles, the Mercedes man holds a very strong hold to being acclaimed as Britain’s greatest ever Formula One driver.
On Sunday, the 31-year-old was never headed as he led from start to finish at Silverstone – his third straight success on home soil and fourth overall.
It was the latest indication of Hamilton’s dazzling speed and skill behind the wheel of a racing car, and again set debates raging about his place in Britain’s driving hierarchy.
It’s a discussion for the ages. Just where does Hamilton stack up against the best the British Isles has produced?
With the celebrity friends, fashion show appearances and jet-set lifestyle, the man from Stevenage certainly wins the coolest driver award.
And with drives like the one he produced on Sunday, Hamilton showed his latest case to be acknowledged next to names like Jim Clarke, Sir Jackie Stewart, and Nigel Mansell.
Statistics show Hamilton is King of the Brits
Only Stewart matching his three world titles. And in terms of race wins, Lewis is by far top of the roost with 47, 16 more than any other British racer.
Then there are his incredible 55 pole positions – only Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna have more – and countless podiums and fastest laps.
But with so many rule changes and the development of Formula One down the years, any debate about who is the greatest goes further than mere numbers and statistics.
Since making his debut for McLaren in Australia nine years ago, Hamilton has shown more often than not that he is a special and unique talent.
His victory at Silverstone in 2008 was an early example of Hamilton’s stunning ability, and he shares attributes with all of Britain’s finest drivers.
Hamilton possesses the speed and car control of Clarke, the wet-weather mastery of Stewart, and the passion and overtaking prowess of Mansell.
For many the question simply comes to down whoever it was you watched as a young’un, but Hamilton has earned the right to be included in any debate.
His claims will only grow stronger if he can become just the fifth man in history – and the first Brit – to land four world titles late this year.
Sitting just one point behind team-mate Nico Rosberg, and with all the momentum in his half of the garage, Hamilton is now favourite to be this year’s champion at 1/3.
Land that title in November, and the debate over who is Britain’s greatest Formula One driver may start getting a tad one-sided.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
