The fans will remember the 2023 Formula One season as Max Verstappen’s year. His outstanding performance has made a lasting impact on the history of the sport, and the world championship he won five races before the season was over set a new bar. The Dutchman is on the verge of breaking his own record for the most victories in a single season (15), having won 14 of the first 17 races. Numerous experts and pundits have listed him among the sport’s all-time greats as a result of his extraordinary dominance. However, as a former champion Damon Hill revealed in a recent episode of the F1 Nation podcast, not everyone shares this opinion.
When Max Verstappen surpassed Ayrton Senna’s 41 race victories, he started his record-breaking streak and qualified to join an exclusive club of drivers with the most victories.
Despite having accomplished so much at such a young age in what has already been a record-breaking season, 1996 champion Damon Hill is yet to label Verstappen as the best ever to grace the sport. However, before drawing any conclusions, we need to examine Hill’s unusual explanation.
Why does Damon Hill refuse to consider Max Verstappen GOAT?
Damon Hill expressed his opinion on Verstappen being the greatest of all time. The show’s host, Tom Clarkson, asked the 1996 champion, “Where do you put Max in the list of great Formula One drivers now?” In response to this, Hill claimed that Verstappen initially played second fiddle to the Mercedes combo while assessing the Dutchman’s rise through the ranks. Later, he added that in the previous three years, the 26-year-old had shown a remarkable increase in results and supremacy, prompting a deeper examination of the true ‘meaning of Greatness.’
Hill went on to elaborate on his distinctive viewpoint on greatness, which the former champion claimed wasn’t just based on numbers or victories. The term “GOAT” encapsulates a driver’s career, personality, and impact on the sport, according to the 63-year-old. You can win three world championships, Hill said after elaborating on the true meaning. I mean, Sir Jack Brabham won the world championship three times. He’s not regarded as a great, but you know, he should be. He did win in his own car, after all. Nobody has ever done that before.
Later by providing a philosophy of some famous Roman philosopher, Hill added, “ You can’t judge a person until it’s over. You can’t really know what they’re like until they’ve retired and maybe even after they’ve retired.” While wrapping up the conversation, he mentioned Fangio and Stirling Moss, as well as Niki Lauda, who never won a championship but are still considered legends for their achievements both on and off the track. Though Damon might have his own reasons for not considering Max the GOAT, there are other experts and former champions who have contrary opinions.
Who are the experts that have dubbed Max Verstappen the GOAT?
The Dutchman has continued his impressive performance from last season, winning 14 of 17 races so far this year, including 10 straight victories. He won 15 of 22 races last season. Verstappen’s achievement was hailed as “historic” by 2016 F1 champion Nico Rosberg after he joined the exclusive club of three-time champions. The German said, “It’s unbelievable the run of form he’s had, the level that he’s driving at, the records he’s breaking,” in an interview with Skysports. Not real. The 38-year-old continued, “It’s so inspiring for those within team Red Bull to know they’ve got one of the greatest drivers of all time driving their machine.
Not only has Rosberg labeled Verstappen as the best, but an ex-f1 Honcho has also stated that Verstappen is the “best.” According to the Daily Mail, Bernie Ecclestone declared the Dutchman an F1 GOAT. He said, “ I used to say Alain Prost. Now I would say Max. He’s the greatest. He is brightest with regards to getting the best out of the car.”
Verstappen has threatened to quit the sport early in order to pursue other passions because he feels that Formula One is too demanding and that he has a few more enjoyable life goals. Even if the Dutchman continues playing until his contract expires in 2028, he will probably finish among the top players in all records, allowing for some evaluation.
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