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Will.i.am Claims Verstappen Has a Long Way to Go to Match Hamilton’s Legacy

Rapper and songwriter Will.i.am has sparked debate by claiming that Max Verstappen still trails far behind Lewis Hamilton in Formula 1’s history books. Despite Verstappen’s recent dominance in the sport, the global superstar believes the Dutchman’s achievements pale in comparison to Hamilton’s legendary career.

Over the last two seasons, Verstappen and Red Bull have been nearly unstoppable, with the 26-year-old driver clinching his third world title last year after winning an astonishing 19 out of 22 races. Verstappen has accumulated 54 career victories, 32 pole positions, and 30 fastest laps so far. However, these numbers are still far behind Hamilton’s impressive statistics.

Hamilton holds the all-time record for most race wins (103), pole positions (104), and podium finishes (197). In addition, he is tied with Michael Schumacher for the most world championships, with seven titles. Six of these titles came during Mercedes’ dominant run in the hybrid era, making Hamilton one of the greatest drivers in F1 history. The Briton remains on the hunt for a record-breaking eighth championship, which has eluded him since the end of Mercedes’ peak dominance.

Despite Verstappen’s remarkable form, Will.i.am believes that catching Hamilton’s legacy will take years. Speaking with F1 Briefings, he shared his optimism for Mercedes’ prospects in 2024, aligning with team principal Toto Wolff’s confidence. “With engineering, yes, they’re the best engineers on earth. And Lewis Hamilton is one of the best drivers that ever existed,” Will.i.am said. “So yeah, I’m super optimistic.”

The rapper also praised the team’s young star, George Russell, calling him “fearless” and “one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met.” He expressed his belief that Mercedes has the tools to compete at the highest level next season. “Toto [Wolff] is an amazing leader. George is an amazing cat. So yeah, I’m super optimistic,” Will.i.am continued.

He emphasized that if Hamilton manages to secure another championship, it will be a monumental achievement not only for the driver but also for the team and the sport as a whole. “If Lewis gets a win, that’s historical,” he said. “There’s still a lot for Lewis to achieve in the history books, and it’s going to take a long time for someone to surpass that once he secures it.”

The musician acknowledged Verstappen’s talent, but he maintained that Hamilton’s legacy would be hard to surpass. “Even though Max is awesome, don’t get me wrong, when Lewis has it in the bag, it’s going to take Max some years to catch up,” he added.

As Mercedes looks to return to the top after struggling with their car’s performance over the past few seasons, Will.i.am believes the team is poised for a comeback. “They know what’s at stake,” he concluded. “This is a legendary moment for Lewis, for the sport, and for Mercedes.”

Verstappen may currently be the man to beat on the track, but in Will.i.am’s eyes, the Dutchman still has a long way to go before matching the legacy that Hamilton has built over his illustrious career.