When Lewis Hamilton shared his honest opinion on being considered the greatest F1 driver in history

Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, once responded to being considered the Greatest of All Time in F1. Speaking in 20022 on a talk show, the Brit said he knows where he stands, and otherwise, he likes his performance for the talking on track.

Hamilton made his F1 debut with McLaren in 2007 and won his first title in the following year. He switched to Mercedes in 2013, marking the beginning of an extraordinary and historic career. He won six more championships to equal Michael Schumacher's tally and became the only driver with over 100 race wins.

Hamilton was a guest on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' in October 2022. The driver was asked if he thought himself to be the "greatest" F1 driver of modern times, given his statistics and records. He responded:

"I know what I am, I know how good I am. I don't really like to talk about it. I like to just do the talking on the track. That's what my dad always said when I was a kid...we were racing, and we were at the end of discrimination because we were the only people of color on the racetrack. My dad said, 'Just do your talking on the track.' So, even today, I don't feel I need to say it. I let what I've been doing on the circuit, what I'm doing off the circuit, kind of talk for me" [5.30].

Lewis Hamilton's era of dominance lasted from 2014 to 2020, as he won six world championships and toppled several records in that time. However, after 2021, Mercedes witnessed a steep decline in performance, resulting in consecutive inferior seasons.

Hamilton, who is turning 40 in January, took the call to terminate his contract with the Silver Arrows and switch to Scuderia Ferrari for the 2025 F1 season.

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Toto Wolff opens reunion door for Lewis Hamilton

Toto Wolff and Lewis Hamilton (Image Source: Getty)

Lewis Hamilton is no longer a Mercedes driver, and will soon be flying to Maranello to join Scuderia Ferrari in 2025. However, Silver Arrows team principal Toto Wolff feels that his equation with the 39-year-old driver won't change.

Wolff also opened the door for a potential reunion, saying Mercedes would always be Hamilton's family. He said (via The Mirror),

"There is no such thing in an end to the relationship that Mercedes has with Lewis, neither what we as a team have nor I and Susie personally. On the contrary. I think Lewis has decided to do something else for the last part of his career, which I understand - or I can understand.

"He's always going to be part of that family and always welcome in the family. And one day, maybe when the driving ends, there's going to be plenty of adventures we're going to embark on."

The seven-time world champion spent 11 years with Mercedes and anchored the team to glory in F1. Their relationship is considered by many as one of the most successful tales of recent history.