Abu Dhabi: Lewis Hamilton’s place in the pantheon of Formula One greats is not yet assured, according to the Briton’s fellow three-time world champion Sir Jackie Stewart.
The Scotsman secured his place in history by winning the world title in 1969, 1971 and 1973 — but says “I never thought of myself as a great driver” at the time.
Hamilton emulated Stewart’s feat in October, following his 2008 and 2014 triumphs, but his legacy will only be determined once his career has finished, according to his 76-year-old compatriot. “It’s difficult to say who the great drivers are,” Stewart told ‘Gulf News’ in an exclusive interview at this weekend’s Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
“Normally you have to wait a long time until that person has driven. I never thought of myself as a great driver. It only happens quite a long time after you finish your career.”
“I think that was true of [Juan Manuel] Fangio, I think that was true of Jim Clark,” he added. “I think that was true of any of the great drivers. It takes time.
“I think [Fernando] Alonso will go down as a great and [Sebastian] Vettel one day and also perhaps Lewis. But to be a great driver you’ve got to be able to do it not always in the best car or the fastest.
“When you are winning multiple world championship Grands Prix, if the car is totally dominant, then more than one driver can be up there. So I think it has to wait to become great.
“I’m not suggesting for one minute that I was great. All I’m saying is I think that’s the truth of all the great names in the sport.
“And it’s not just a question of winning more races or starting more races. But he’s driving very, very well.”
Could Hamilton, 30, match or surpass Michael Schumacher’s record of seven world titles? “It’s not impossible,” Stewart said. “Maybe yes, maybe no.
“Seven is a lot.”
How would Stewart in his pomp have compared to Hamilton? “It’s a different era, different time, so it’s hard to say,” the Scot said.
He went on to say Hamilton’s abilities as a driver could not be fully assessed because his Mercedes team are overwhelmingly dominant.
The German outfit have clinched their second constructors’ championship ahead of the season-ending race in Abu Dhabi and are 259 points ahead of second-place Ferrari. “It’s difficult to see what would happen if Vettel was in the same car or Alonso was in the same car,” Stewart added.
Would he therefore advise Hamilton to move to a lesser team to test his mettle?
“No, while he’s winning, he should be where the winning car is. The best example of that is Fangio. He went from Alfa Romeo, to Maserati to Ferrari. “He would move around wherever he thought the best car was. But nowadays, they usually last a longer period.
“If you’re the best driver, you want the best car.”
