Esteban Ocon praises Hamilton as the best driver of the modern era ahead of the Monaco GP

Driver Esteban Ocon, from the Haas F1 team Team, recently took a stand on the “GOAT” (Greatest Of All Time) debate at Fórmula 1, highlighting Lewis Hamilton as the best of the modern era. Embora refuses to choose between Hamilton and Michael Schumacher for the title of greatest of all time, Ocon emphasized that the Brit is undeniably the number one of the latest generations in motorsport.

The controversy over who holds the title of best driver in Fórmula 1 history has persisted for years. Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher share a record of seven world championships each. Analistas and fans often compare the two, considering the different eras and the characteristics of the cars they drove.

Hamilton surpasses Schumacher in overall honors

The British Lewis Hamilton has a superior record in several statistical categories, solidifying its position among the greats of motorsport. Ele has accumulated 105 victories, 104 pole positions and 204 podiums throughout his career. Essa’s consistency puts him in an elite category, with numbers that surpass those of other champions.

Michael Schumacher, in turn, recorded 91 triumphs, 68 poles and 155 podiums in his career in Fórmula 1. Apesar despite having fewer victories and poles, the German’s legacy in Ferrari, with five consecutive titles, is widely celebrated.

• Estatísticas comparisons:

* Lewis Hamilton:105 wins, 104 poles, 204 podiums, 7 championships.
* Michael Schumacher:91 triumphs, 68 poles, 155 podiums, 7 championships.

Outros illustrious names such as Juan Manuel Fangio, Alain Prost, Sebastian Vettel, Jackie Stewart, Ayrton Senna, Nelson Piquet and Niki Lauda are also frequently mentioned in the discussion of the greatest. Da current generation, Max Verstappen has four crowns and Fernando Alonso two, both with great support from their fans.

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Esteban Ocon’s take on F1’s GOAT

Esteban Ocon, driver of Haas, addressed the difficulty of comparing drivers from different eras. “It’s difficult to compare Lewis (Hamilton) with Michael (Schumacher), for example,” stated Ocon. Ele argued that although they competed at some point, it was not in the same era or with the same cars. Essa distinction is crucial for a fair analysis, according to the Frenchman.

“You have to consider Lewis as one of the best in history and, without a doubt, the best of the modern era,” stated Ocon. Ele justifies his opinion by pointing out that no one in the contemporary era has achieved what Hamilton has achieved. The Haas pilot added that, in a way, it is necessary to agree with this perspective, given the uniqueness of Hamilton’s achievements in his generation.

Ocon also highlighted that it is difficult to compare all eras, but that Hamilton’s greatness is undeniable. The French pilot’s speech reinforces the recognition of the British driver’s talent and consistency by his professional colleagues. Ele made it clear that Hamilton is one of the biggest names in the sport, without delving into direct comparisons with legends from past eras.

Performance from Hamilton in 2026 with Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton is not experiencing the best moment in his career, however the second year with Ferrari, in 2026, is more positive than the debut season. In the previous year, 2025, the 41-year-old runner failed to achieve any podium finishes, although he won Sprint from China. Ele ended the 2025 campaign in sixth place with 156 points, significantly behind his teammate.

Nesta season, Hamilton has already achieved two podiums, one in China and another in the Canadá GP. Atualmente, he occupies fourth place in the drivers’ championship, with 72 units. Está just 3 points behind Charles Leclerc, demonstrating remarkable progress. Aparentemente, Hamilton is adapting better to the commands of the SF-26, Ferrari’s car. Existe the possibility that he can end his winless streak, which has lasted since the Spa 2024 GP, when he was still racing for Mercedes.