Who is the greatest Formula 1 driver of all time? Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Ayrton Senna: every fan has a favorite. But what if there are arguments that prove these icons are not the G.O.A.T.? In this article, we explain why 4 Formula 1 heroes, despite their achievements, might not be the best of all time. #NotMyGOAT
1. Michael Schumacher: Did he cheat a little?
Schumacher is often seen as the G.O.A.T. due to his seven world titles and his dominance at Ferrari. He built a dynasty, but…
Does cheating count?
For many, Schumacher’s seven titles don’t feel entirely justified due to the way he won some of them. His collisions with Damon Hill (1994) and Jacques Villeneuve (1997) were not accidents, but deliberate actions to secure his championships. This raises big questions about the sporting value of his titles: how many would he have won without those dark edges? For many, this simply makes Schumacher #NotMyGOAT.
2. Lewis Hamilton: Was his car just dominant?
Hamilton is seen as the G.O.A.T. due to his seven world titles and the record number of race victories. His achievements are unparalleled, but…
Were those prizes actually for Mercedes?
Lewis Hamilton’s success is closely tied to the dominance of Mercedes since 2014. Many critics argue that he often drove the best car, making his victories less impressive. This fuels the eternal debate in Formula 1: how much is due to the driver, and how much to the power of the car? When Hamilton finally faced serious competition from Nico Rosberg in 2016, he lost the championship. This leads many to say: Hamilton is #NotMyGOAT.
3. Ayrton Senna: Only Three World Titles
Senna is often seen as the G.O.A.T. because of his three world titles, his unparalleled speed, and his iconic status. He was a magical driver, but…
‘What If’ Doesn’t Count
Senna’s tragic death in 1994 has enlarged his legend, but it remains a question how much he would have achieved if he had been able to race longer. With ‘only’ three world titles, he does not reach the records of Schumacher or Hamilton. Despite his immense talent, the statistics lag behind and in top sports, ‘what if’ does not count. Three titles are impressive and a cult status as a magician comes with it, but it is not enough for a G.O.A.T. status. #NotMyGOAT
4. Juan Manuel Fangio: The 1950s Are a Long Time Ago
Fangio is often considered the G.O.A.T. because of his five world titles, achieved with four different teams. He defined success in the 1950s, but…
It’s a Long Time Ago
Fangio’s successes are undoubtedly impressive, but he raced in an era with far fewer races per season and lower technical complexity than now. The competition was smaller then, with fewer teams and drivers who really had a chance at the title. This makes Fangio’s successes less impressive to many compared to modern Formula 1. #NotMyGOAT.
