Max Verstappen surpasses Lewis Hamilton once again after his victory at the Emilia Romagna GP. These two drivers have been the most prominent figures in Formula 1 over the past decade. They have engaged in numerous battles, including the infamous 2021 season. However, the question of who is the better driver has sparked ongoing debates among fans. Verstappen has now gained an edge with his recent triumph.
During the weekend in Imola, the three-time world champion secured his 59th victory in F1. He has competed in a total of 192 races so far, resulting in a win rate of 30.73%. This achievement puts Verstappen ahead of Hamilton, whose win rate is 30.38%. It is worth noting that Verstappen currently holds the fourth position on the all-time list. The record for the highest win rate is held by Late, with an impressive 47.06%. and occupy the second and third positions, with win rates of 40.63% and 34.72%, respectively.
However, it is evident that in the modern era of Formula 1, Max Verstappen has achieved the highest win rate. This solidifies his position as a strong contender against Lewis Hamilton in the debate for the title of “Greatest of All Time” in F1.
Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes dominated the Hybrid Turbo era of Formula 1, with Hamilton winning five world titles between 2014 and 2020. However, it was only in 2022 and 2023 that Max Verstappen truly stood out as a dominant force in the sport. In the 2021 season, Verstappen had to fiercely compete against Hamilton for the championship.
Throughout his days of glory, the seven-time world champion faced fierce competition for the title. First, it was his teammate , followed by . However, Hamilton had a smoother path in 2019 and 2020. On the other hand, Verstappen completely outperformed his rivals in the last two seasons, showcasing his exceptional speed and skill.
Some may argue that Red Bull’s advantage in terms of pace contributed to Verstappen’s success. However, not even Verstappen’s teammate, , was able to match his performance. Verstappen’s remarkable campaign in 2023 demonstrated that he was in a league of his own. Now, as a three-time world champion, he made history by surpassing Hamilton’s win rate in the pinnacle of motorsport.
At just 26 years old, Max Verstappen has a decade or more of potential to continue breaking records in Formula 1. However, it is unlikely that he will remain in the sport for that long. Nevertheless, his performance in Imola, where he successfully defended against Lando Norris, showed his ability to avoid mistakes and maintain composure in high-pressure situations. This further strengthens Verstappen’s claim to become the greatest of all time in Formula 1 in the future.
