Breaking: Lewis Hamilton’s & Max Verstappen’s Stats Compared After…read more
Lewis Hamilton’s & Max Verstappen’s Stats Compared After…read more
With his impressive performance at the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix, Max Verstappen clinched his fourth Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship. Securing the title with two races remaining, the 2024 season proved to be the Dutchman’s most challenging championship victory since his maiden triumph in 2021. This latest milestone puts Verstappen in an elite club of drivers who have achieved four or more world titles, alongside legends like Lewis Hamilton, Michael Schumacher, and Sebastian Vettel.
This moment provides a prime opportunity to compare Verstappen with Hamilton, his chief rival in recent years, at the point of their respective fourth championship wins. Though the two drivers have clashed on and off the track, their shared determination, skill, and hunger for success have solidified their legacies as two of the sport’s greatest.
Early Career Trajectories
Max Verstappen burst onto the F1 scene at just 17, making his debut with Toro Rosso in 2015. In contrast, Hamilton began his career in 2007 with McLaren at the age of 22. Despite this age gap, Hamilton was quicker to claim his first championship, doing so at 23 years and 300 days, compared to Verstappen’s first title at 24 years and 75 days.
Both drivers reached their fourth titles with only a single race difference. Hamilton secured his fourth crown at the 2017 Mexican Grand Prix after a challenging ninth-place finish due to a first-lap collision. Verstappen claimed his fourth title in Las Vegas in 2024, finishing fifth, which was enough to keep his closest competitor, Lando Norris, at bay.
Pole Positions and Podium Finishes
When comparing pole positions, Hamilton had a decisive advantage, nearly doubling Verstappen’s tally by his fourth title. Hamilton’s first pole came early in his career, at the 2007 Canadian Grand Prix, where he also claimed his maiden victory. Verstappen, however, waited until the 2019 Hungarian Grand Prix—his 93rd race—for his first pole but has since made steady progress.
On podium finishes, the pair are closely matched. Both drivers have shown an uncanny ability to fight back from unfavorable starting positions to secure top-three finishes, a testament to their skill and adaptability.
Race Wins and Points Scored
A surprising statistic is that both drivers had exactly 62 race wins at the time of their fourth championship. Hamilton’s 62nd victory came at the 2017 United States Grand Prix, a relatively straightforward win. Verstappen’s 62nd was far more dramatic, as he stormed through the field from 17th to win the 2024 Brazilian Grand Prix in treacherous weather conditions.
Verstappen holds an edge in points-per-race averages, though this is influenced by different points systems and the competitiveness of their cars during their respective eras.
Legacy and Rivalry
While Hamilton and Verstappen’s paths to their fourth titles share similarities, their careers reflect contrasting eras of F1. Hamilton dominated the hybrid era with Mercedes’ superior machinery, while Verstappen has showcased remarkable consistency in a competitive Red Bull. Both have cemented themselves as icons of the sport, with fans and pundits eagerly awaiting the next chapter of their rivalry.
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