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Sir Jackie Stewart, Emerson Fittipaldi, Damon Hill, Jenson Button and Nico Rosberg all think Lewis Hamilton will ultimately win the 2021 championship.
As Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen approach the final race of the 2021 season with equal points, several retired Formula 1 world champions have publicly stated they believe Lewis will ultimately come out on top and win his eighth championship.
Sir Jackie Stewart
Champion: 1969, 1971, 1973
“The car, the engine — it gives Lewis the edge,” Stewart said.
“I’d prefer it to be Max, just because that’s what the sport needs, a new champion, and I’d love to see it from that wider perspective.
“Max has a slight tendency to overdrive and that may count against him.”
Emerson Fittipaldi
Champion: 1972, 1974
“Lewis always comes back from difficult situations,” Fittipaldi said.
“He knows how to win. Max, on the other hand, is inexperienced and a very aggressive driver. If he is in a difficult situation, it will be difficult for him to recover.”
Damon Hill
Champion: 1996
“I have to say on form that it will be Lewis, all things being equal,” Hill said.
“But it’s not always a straight fight and both drivers will be doing everything they can to get the better of the other one.”
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Jenson Button
Champion: 2009
“It’s the first time I feel that I can say who I think is going to win the championship, and I do think Lewis has the upper hand,” Button said.
“I think he’s driving really well, to come back the last few races is he’s done a great job. But also the Mercedes is working really well, it’s the strongest time of the season for them, they were on the backfoot but they have upped their game massively since Silverstone.
“I think they have the upper hand, but one lap pace, Max can really pull it out for Red Bull. But it’s whether it’s enough, and then you’ve got the long straights, so it’s going to be tricky for him.
“But it’s the first time I’ve actually said who I think will win, and I think it will be Lewis.”
Nico Rosberg
Champion: 2016
“Lewis is on fire,” Rosberg said.
“He has so much such great form. He was on massive form again yesterday [in Abu Dhabi Grand Prix free practice], so you kind of feel that he has to be a little bit the favourite at the moment.”
