Lewis Hamilton once shared whether he thought he could beat Ayrton Senna in the same F1 car

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Lewis Hamilton and Ayrton Senna are two of the greatest Formula 1 drivers of all time. In the McLaren hierarchy, they are the definitive best two talents they’ve ever had in their cockpit.

But they were a few generations apart. What would have happened if, for example, they had been teammates in the late 1980s or early 1990s at McLaren?

It’s impossible to know, and that’s why it makes it difficult to know who would have been faster. For many, Senna is the greatest of all time.

However, numerically, Hamilton stands level with one and above everyone else in Formula 1 history. It’s hard to argue against facts.

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Hamilton expects a ‘massive challenge’ in 2026 as he tries to win a record-breaking eighth drivers’ championship.

Ferrari have one last chance to try and bring the vintage Hamilton back, which is easier said than done, given his form over the last 12 months.

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Lewis Hamilton once felt he could beat anyone in the same F1 car

Hamilton has endured ‘toxic’ title fights, but he has also shown during that time that he is strong in the face of adversity.

That’s the mark of a true champion. Senna had some toxic battles with the likes of Alain Prost, and that was within his own team.

At times, both of them were close to giving up, but continued to race and have an impact. Speaking to Sky Sports F1 in 2015, Hamilton felt as though he could beat anyone in the same car, but failed to give a definite answer on whether he could beat Senna.

“If I was to meet Ayrton, I’d probably, as a kid, would’ve said, ‘How can I be like you?’ Probably something like that. Do I think I could beat him in the same car?

“No, I think as a driver, since I was a kid, I always had to believe I was the best in my time. If I wasn’t, I had to work to be the best.

“There’s not any doubt in my mind that I can beat whoever I’m competing against. Might not do it instantly, might take some work, but there’s no doubt that I can.”

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Who was Lewis Hamilton’s main F1 idol growing up?

Hamilton grew up watching Formula 1 in an era where safety was just starting to make the championship a better place to be.

Fatalities were on a sharp decline, and interest was rising with names such as Senna, Schumacher, Prost, and Mansell.

But Hamilton’s favourite was always Senna. He has spoken many times about idolising him before, and the Brazilian people love him for it. It’s why he’s an honorary citizen of the country.

Hamilton felt a ‘connection’ with Senna and appreciates his heroics behind the wheel of a car, and away from the track. In many ways, they’re very similar.