Would Formula 1 indeed miss Hamilton and not Verstappen:

— Jacques Villeneuve has sparked debate by suggesting that Formula 1 would miss Lewis Hamilton more than Max Verstappen if either driver left the sport. Villeneuve pointed to Hamilton’s broader influence and global appeal, comparing him to Lionel Messi in football.

— He argued that Hamilton’s impact goes beyond racing, highlighting his status as an icon with a massive following worldwide.

— Villeneuve also expressed that Verstappen, despite his dominance and exceptional talent on the track, lacks the same global resonance outside Formula 1.

— The social media following of the two drivers further reflects this distinction, with Hamilton’s 38.5 million Instagram followers outnumbering Verstappen’s 13.5 million, underscoring Hamilton’s broader reach.

— Villeneuve’s remarks have drawn mixed reactions, especially from Verstappen’s fans, who felt the comparison undermined the Dutch driver’s contribution to the sport.