Villeneuve: Hamilton’s Potential Eighth Title Won’t Make Him the Greatest of All Time
Former Formula 1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve has stirred debate by dismissing the idea that Lewis Hamilton would be considered the greatest F1 driver of all time, even if he secures an unprecedented eighth drivers’ championship. Villeneuve, the 1997 title winner, argues that the evolution of F1 cars and regulations makes such comparisons across eras impossible.
Hamilton is currently tied with Michael Schumacher, both boasting seven world championships. A single additional title would place the Mercedes driver alone at the top of the record books. However, Villeneuve believes the shifting landscape of F1 makes it unfair to crown a definitive “greatest.”
The Canadian points out that the sport Hamilton debuted in 2007 has drastically transformed. Back in 2008, when Hamilton claimed his maiden championship, the cars were powered by V8 engines. In contrast, today’s F1 machines utilize complex V6 hybrid turbo power units. Each regulatory overhaul has reshaped the sport, presenting unique challenges for drivers.
Hamilton’s driving style, according to Villeneuve, has struggled to adapt to recent regulations, unlike Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who thrives under the current technical framework. For Villeneuve, these changes are why no single driver can truly be considered the best in the sport’s history.
“There’s never the greatest of all time,” Villeneuve told The Action Network. “There’s too much evolution with the cars; it’s too different. If you look at someone like Jackie Stewart, he’s impressive because he won three championships in an era where two, three, or five drivers would die a year. And with cars that would break down in half the races, he still managed to win a lot. The same applies to drivers like Emerson Fittipaldi. In a way, winning three championships back then is arguably more impressive than winning five or six now.”
Villeneuve also highlights how modern F1’s expanded race calendar has further distorted comparisons. The current season consists of 24 races, a far cry from the shorter calendars of previous decades. With more races, dominant teams and drivers can accumulate victories and points at an unprecedented rate, inflating their statistics.
“When you have a superior car today, you can win almost 24 races instead of 15 because there are so many more races in the calendar,” he explained. “The numbers are skewed. The overall points are too—now a win gives you 25 points, but it used to be 8, then 9, then 10. So, you can’t compare eras.”
Villeneuve’s remarks also acknowledge the bravery and skill of earlier drivers. He views their accomplishments as remarkable, given the dangers and mechanical unreliability of F1 in the past. This, combined with differences in race calendars and point systems, means achievements in modern F1 cannot be measured by the same standards.
While Hamilton’s quest for an eighth title would be a monumental achievement, Villeneuve’s comments serve as a reminder of the complexities involved in determining the greatest driver in a sport as dynamic and ever-changing as Formula 1.
