Barrichello: Hamilton better than Schumacher and Senna

  • Published on 24 Jan 2020 14:24
  • comments 9
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Former grand prix driver Rubens Barrichello believes that six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton is better than Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna.

Barrichello, who raced against all three of the aforementioned drivers throughout his career, says the only thing that Hamilton lacked in previous years was maturity, which he has now obtained.

Hamilton picked up his sixth title last year, finishing the season almost 100 points in front of his nearest challenger - teammate Valtteri Bottas.

MOREHamilton working 'twice as hard' to beat 'fierce' young drivers | Hamilton warns rivals he will 'be a machine' in 2020

The Briton is 7 wins away from matching Schumacher's all-time race win record, and should he win the world championship this year, he will level the German's all-time title tally.

"Hamilton has a talent that is possibly even greater than that of Ayrton and Schumacher," Barrichello told ESPN Brasil.

"The only thing he lacked was maturity. He has progressed on that, and today you see the final product," the former Ferrari driver added.

Barrichello added that the perfect racing driver would be a combination of the qualities of Hamilton, Schumacher and Senna.

"When I listened to the radio in Brazil, I noticed that he is incredibly calm, passing on information, saying what he does and doesn't need," he said.

"The perfect driver would have Ayrton's skill, Schumacher's courage and Hamilton's coordination. It would be something to see!"

Hamilton has once again been nominated at the Laureus Awards for the Sportsman of the Year, while his Mercedes team has received a nomination for Team of the Year. 

f1ski

Posts: 726

Had MB not had the huge advantage with the power unit Hamilton would not have had the advantage he enjoyed and the results that place hime with the greats. What stands out to me about Schumacher was that his teammate never had similar results with the same equipment.I think where Hamilton loses ... [Read more]

  • 2
  • Jan 25 2020 - 00:28

Replies (9)

Login to reply
  • Come on now... he said "possibly even greater than that of Ayrton and Schumacher"
    Still, however, I can envision heads exploding by that mere suggestion. It's always sensitive when superlatives are brought up about Hamilton. Throw Schumacher and Senna into the mix and you will see the insults start flying. That being said, out of all people to make that comparison, it's interesting that it's Rubens who knew both Michael and Ayrton really well.

    • + 0
    • Jan 24 2020 - 18:53
    • 2GRX7

      Posts: 108

      I believe Berger said the same thing about Hammy and he was teammate to both of them.

      • + 0
      • Jan 25 2020 - 18:48
    • There is no way anyone could compare Lewis with Senna. The drivers back then had to deal with way more risk. Lewis IMO isn’t cut out for that adventure. If Rosberg could beat Lewis, Senna could decimate him.

      • + 0
      • Jan 27 2020 - 01:41
  • good enough for me

    • + 0
    • Jan 24 2020 - 23:25
  • f1ski

    Posts: 726

    Had MB not had the huge advantage with the power unit Hamilton would not have had the advantage he enjoyed and the results that place hime with the greats. What stands out to me about Schumacher was that his teammate never had similar results with the same equipment.I think where Hamilton loses out to the greats his ability to manage tires and to deal with stressful moments. How many times has he been heard crying to the team only to find himself winning later as a result of team strategy. He is insanely fast in the past very aggressive but not as great a racer as Senna or Schumacher.

    • + 2
    • Jan 25 2020 - 00:28
    • 2GRX7

      Posts: 108

      Power advantage? One could say the same thing about Schumi/Ferrari years, and Schumi didn't allow for equal equipment-he ALWAYS got the new stuff first. You think he looses out on tire management? Really? Why do you think that? I've never heard a pundit say he's harsh on tires-quite the opposite, really.

      Questioning's not crying-it's simply that! One collaborates to gain the best outcome, and doesn't just simply accept it.

      The article's already stated that he's grown up, so I'm questioning this thought.

      • + 0
      • Jan 25 2020 - 19:01
    • It's quite rich to say that Schumacher didn't have as great an advantage as Hamilton. The argument about weak teammates actually validates even more the case for saying that Michael had a grater advantage. Michael never really had a strong teammate. He was never on equal terms. He was always the #1 driver. Ferrari in the 2000's was about as dominant as Mercedes. I'd argue the big difference was that Mercedes were smart enough to get two fast drivers instead of just one. Compare how many races Irvine, Barrichello, and Irvine, won vs Bottas and Rosberg in the same period of time. It's not even close.

      Say what you will about Lewis, but arguing that Schumacher didn't have a massive advantage is ridiculous. I'd argue that on similar equipment, Michael would have won one or two championships with Ferrari at best. We saw clearly what happened when Renault finally caught up to Ferrari; Alonso beat him two years in a row

      • + 1
      • Jan 25 2020 - 21:16
  • Mansell

    Posts: 104

    Rubens, rubens , rubens, really

    • + 0
    • Jan 25 2020 - 20:12
  • Could very well be right. Look at his stats, they don't lie. Now I would say he's on par with them. If he stays on form for the next 3-4 years there's no question that he's the best of all.

    • + 0
    • Jan 27 2020 - 00:09

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Mercedes
  • Points 3,162
  • Podiums 127
  • Grand Prix 187
  • Country GB
  • Date of b. Jan 7 1985 (39)
  • Place of b. Tewin, GB
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.74 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar