IMPORTANT POINTS
- Eddie Jordan talks about Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher
- Jordan prefers Hamilton in the “GOAT” debate because Schumacher has often been associated with fraudulent controversy
- An F1 passenger believes Max Verstappen can reach the level of seven-time world champion
A former Formula 1 team boss believes that Lewis Hamilton came at the helm of Michael Schumacher in the “greatest of all time” debate.
Even before Hamilton Schumacher’s seven world titles, many had argued that the Briton had actually surpassed the German to be the greatest F1 driver of all time.
Former Irish karting champion Eddie Jordan made a simple conclusion to the ongoing debate.
According to Jordan, it’s easy to call Hamilton the greatest to ever do because he’s never been linked to any scam rumors.
In contrast, Schumacher was often on almost every team he drove for.
“Both are unique, so I’m almost schizophrenic when I have to pick a winner. But I choose [Lewis] Hamilton, ”Jordan said to Autobild. “Lewis never won his titles in a collision like Michael [Schumacher] in Adelaide in 1994. ”
“Lewis’s time at Mercedes was never tarnished by rumors of fraud,” he continued. “I still remember how much Michael suffered when Benetton was accused of using illegal traction control in 1994. And his time at Ferrari didn’t quite go by without someone pointing a finger at the red team.”
Jordan stressed, however, that none of the aforementioned fraud rumors should change the fact that Schumacher was a world class driver.
“These speculations shouldn’t affect Michael’s performance,” he said. “Both [Hamilton and Schumacher] are quite simply very big in their job. “
The German Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher gestures at the end of the Brazilian F-1 GP on November 25, 2012 at the Interlagos race track in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Photo: YASUYOSHI CHIBA / AFP / Getty Images
While the world may never see Hamilton and Schumacher settle the debate on the track, the former is currently facing a handful of rivals who unanimously hope to survive him.
Among them are Max Verstappen from Red Bull, Charles Leclerc from Ferrari and Lando Norris from McLaren.
The aforementioned drivers have proven they can compete with Hamilton, but for some – including McLaren F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo – it is Verstappen who makes a strong case for reaching the seven-time world champion.
“I think Max [Verstappen] will be at the top as long as he wants to race, “Ricciardo recently told RacingNews365.com.” Probably with him, like with Lewis, that he will go far into the 30s if he wants to. “
“As in many sports, talent is getting younger and younger,” he added. “I think that is also because they have people with experience around them who they can learn from training. This also enables them to learn faster.”
In the first three GPs of the season, Hamilton and Verstappen fought constantly for the cup with the Mercedes superstar in front of the Red Bull talisman 2-1.
Verstappen’s Imola win confirmed Red Bull as a serious title challenger Photo: AFP / Miguel MEDINA
