Hamilton’s place in F1 history put to the test

MEXICO CITY: Lewis Hamilton secured his fifth world title on Sunday, matching 61 years on Juan Manuel Fangio’s title haul and drawing him ever nearer to Michael Schumacher’s record seven F1 crowns. Here AFP assesses the 33-year-old Briton’s place in the history of his sport: A winner no matter the car

Fernando Alonso voiced the opinion of many this week when having no qualms about placing Hamilton in his top five drivers of all time behind Schumacher, Fangio, Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost.

“If one driver had to match Fangio I am happy it is Lewis as he has showed the talent and commitment. When the car is dominating, then he delivers -- and when it is not good enough to win a world championship, he still puts in the performance to show his talent. “That is difficult to see nowadays,” two two-time former champion suggested. Hamilton has won at least one race each season since his debut 12 years ago, even when the odds have been stacked against him, in 2009 with McLaren or 2013 with Mercedes. That record is bettered only by Schumacher, a winner each year from 1992 to 2006. Hamilton has KO’d all challengers

After Kimi Raikkonen denied him the title in his rookie season by one point, he went head to head with Alonso, universally regarded as one of the most accomplished drivers of his generation. The only regret was the Hamilton v Alonso rivalry did not last longer, with the Spaniard hampered by slow wheels since 2014, the season when Mercedes rose to the top. Hamilton’s first title in 2008, has gone down in history after he only secured it by one point from Felipe Massa in the final stages of the final race. He then proved his match against his teammate Nico Rosberg, between 2014 and 2016. “This rivalry was almost on the same level as that between Prost and Senna, both on the mental and sporting front,” says veteran French F1 specialist Lionel Froissart. “The only difference being their personalities weren’t strong enough to make a bigger impact on people.” In the past two years it’s been four time former champion Sebastian Vettel who has emerged as his arch rival, and who in turn has been overshadowed by Hamilton. Schumacher encountered less substantial pretenders to his crown. Records tumble, but .....

Since 2017 Hamilton owns the record of 81 pole positions ahead of Schumacher (68) and his hero Senna (65). He now his in his sights Schumacher’s record number of wins, 91 (Hamilton has 71). Modern day F1 is a very different scene to the past. Fangio competed in 10 races a season, Hamilton lines up in 21 this year, meaning records are ripe for the taking. Vettel remarked: “It’s good to compare but you have to remain cautious. If a driver like Fangio was around today, that wouldn’t be great news for us. Everyone who drove against him says they can’t understand how he was faster than the rest of the pack. He would surely win a lot more races today.” Technology plays a greater part in the outcome of races today than in the days when Fangio was racing. And the level of risk and a driver’s longevity are also not comparable with previous times. More to come?

Hamilton constantly reminds us he wants to write his name in history, but he’s not there yet compared to his illustrious F1 predecessors who were competing at a time when the sport attracted greater popularity. And Hamilton’s 7.6 million Instagram followers is modest compared to the 143 million Cristiano Ronaldo can boast. The image Hamilton has created over the years, part Sennaesque mysticism, part fashion icon and devotee of bling, with forays into cinema and music, means the Hamilton brand is still growing. “He’s the most known (F1 personality) outside the sport because he mingles with stars and on the world stage,” says Force India driver Esteban Ocon. - AFP