Formula 1 has witnessed some exceptional drivers throughout its history. However, hardly anyone compares to the heights that Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher had touched. The seven-time world champions broke almost every record during their conquer of the championships. However, there is a key distinction between the two world championships.

The ruthlessness that Hamilton’s German counterpart possessed was in abundance. Statically speaking, the two are extremely close in terms of race wins, podiums, and pole positions. However, Schumacher’s win-at-all-costs mentality was something that set him apart from Hamilton.

Most Formula 1 fans and entities will agree Hamilton is one of the cleanest and fair drivers out there. Apart from the McLaren “lie-gate” scandal in 2009, the current Mercedes driver has attracted no controversies. Hamilton is a hungry winning machine, but he’s not known to test the rules to get an advantage.

However, Schumacher is more like Hamilton’s current main-rival Max Verstappen. Schumacher showcased his ruthlessness in the garage as well. Former teammate, Rubens Barrichello, revealed how difficult it was being in Schumacher’s team.

“If it was run straight, just the same strategy for everyone I might have won at least one championship, at least one. Eventually, I felt that [it was Schumacher’s team],” he admitted.

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Both Hamilton and Schumacher were the focal point in their team, but the latter used that to his advantage better.

However, this is the distinction F1 entities keep between the two during comparisons.

The late Murray Walker believed Lewis Hamilton was better than Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna

Not just Michael Schumacher, the late broadcaster, also believed Hamilton is a better driver than his idol, Ayrton Senna. Why? Because of his code of conduct.

When asked who’s the best driver according to him, Walker said, “But he’s also in my opinion, and this is very contentious indeed, better than either Schumacher or Senna because both of them, Schumacher and Senna, adopted at various times in their career highly debatable driving tactics. And Lewis Hamilton has never been anything like that.”

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Racing beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, so opinions might change on the GOAT debate. However, most can agree on Hamilton’s clean driving while taking nothing away from Michael Schumacher.