Montezemolo says Hamilton now a F1 'great'
Former Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo says Lewis Hamilton is a Formula 1 "great".
The Mercedes driver secured his sixth drivers' title in Austin - a feat bettered only in F1 history by Michael Schumacher.
Many are hailing the achievement, and among them is Ferrari's highly successful former president Montezemolo.
"Lewis is a great," he told Italian radio Rai.
"I believe his victory will give great pleasure above to my friend Niki Lauda, because it was he who did everything he could to bring him to Mercedes."
Montezemolo's words coincide with ongoing suggestions and rumours that Hamilton, 34, may seek a new challenge by switching to Ferrari for 2021.
"First of all," 72-year-old Montezemolo said, "I admire his always sporting behaviour, both in and out of the car.
"Then there is his extraordinary ability to regulate his race according to the needs of the circuit.
"He is very fast, he knows how to use the machine and tyres intelligently, and he is great at bringing the results home," the Italian added.
"He is a driver who enters the world of Formula 1 legends," Montezemolo continued. "Last year he won even when in certain races his car was not the best.
"Starting with Fangio, I put him at the level of Lauda, Schumacher, Senna, Clark and Stewart," he said.
✅ Check out more posts with related topics:
High praise from a tremendous leader. HAM in the same thought as the six drivers listed says it all, and is well deserved. However, I doubt that we will ever see him in red. Obviously, I don't know HAM, but his loyalty seems genuine. A rare attribute these days.
He is better than all of those he has been compared to. He combines raw talent and intentional focus with hard training.
No doubt that he will surpass MS' 7 world championships.
We are living in the Era of King Lewis!
✅ Checkout the latest 50 F1 Fans comments.