Lewis Hamilton is already an F1 legend, says Felipe Massa
Williams driver ranks Briton alongside greats Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna
Felipe Massa says Lewis Hamilton is one of the best F1 drivers ever and already ranks alongside legends like Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna.
Hamilton is on the verge of a fourth drivers’ championship after winning the US Grand Prix last weekend and can wrap up the title in Mexico on Sunday if he finishes fifth or higher.
Austin was Hamilton’s 62nd victory and places him second in the list of most career Grand Prix wins, behind Schumacher’s 91. He has already overtaken Schumacher and Senna this season with most career pole positions (72).
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
It’s this form that justifies Hamilton’s place among the greats, Massa says.
“Lewis is definitely one of the best drivers in the history of Formula 1,” the Brazilian told Sky Sports.
“You cannot really take him away or [place him] in a different level compared to Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna. He’s there.”
When Hamilton emerged in F1 ten years ago, Massa said it was evident he would go on to become a star, added the Williams driver. “All the time you saw Lewis in the car he was impressive. He impressed the people in whatever category he did. It was the same with Ayrton Senna. It was the same with Michael Schumacher.”
Hamilton heads to the Mexican Grand Prix with a 66-point lead over nearest rival Sebastian Vettel. The Ferrari ace must outscore the Mercedes driver by 17 points if he wants to take the title race to Brazil on 12 November.
Meanwhile, New Zealander Brendon Hartley will keep his Toro Rosso seat for Mexico after finishing 13th on his F1 debut in the US.
Hartley was drafted in while Pierre Gasly was racing in Japan’s Super Formula series. The two will now be teammates this weekend, with Daniil Kvyat missing out.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The Spanish cop, 20 million euros and 13 tonnes of cocaine
In the Spotlight Óscar Sánchez Gil, Chief Inspector of Spain's Economic and Tax Crimes Unit, has been arrested for drug trafficking
By The Week UK Published
-
5 hilarious cartoons about the rise and fall of Matt Gaetz
Cartoons Artists take on age brackets, backbiting, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The future of X
Talking Point Trump's ascendancy is reviving the platform's coffers, whether or not a merger is on the cards
By The Week UK Published
-
Christian Horner and the Red Bull saga that refuses to go away
Why everyone's talking about 'Too dizzy-making' even for the 'merry-go-round world of F1'
By The Week UK Published
-
Max Verstappen: F1’s record-breaking world champion
Why Everyone’s Talking About Red Bull star has surpassed records set by Schumacher, Vettel and Hamilton
By Mike Starling Published
-
F1 ‘silly season’ hits top speed as 2023 grid takes shape
Under the Radar Twitter explodes with news of driver moves, denials and rumours
By Mike Starling Published
-
Lewis Hamilton on his F1 future: ‘I have plenty of fuel in the tank’
Under the Radar Seven-time world champion finished second on his 300th grand prix start
By Mike Starling Published
-
F1: a bumpy start to the season for Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell
Under the Radar Only four races in and Mercedes already look off the pace
By The Week Staff Published
-
F1 Bahrain GP reactions: Ferrari ‘back with a bang’ as Leclerc ‘tames the beast’
feature The Tifosi celebrate a stunning one-two for Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz
By Mike Starling Published
-
F1 2022 season guide: race calendar, championship standings and 2023 grid
feature Max Verstappen has now won 14 of this season’s 20 grands prix
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Mason Greenwood: footballer arrested on suspicion of rape and assault
Speed Read Man Utd confirm the striker will not train or play until further notice
By The Week Staff Published