Putting this here as the thread it was going in has been closed. I think it's a valid look at Hamilton's past and comparing to others such as Schumacher. Hence it's relevant to this thread.
Wass85 wrote: ↑16 Sep 2020, 19:03
Like for like Verstappen did better, a fact that the stats will tell you.
You can't say "like for like" because Max didn't do a full build up through the junior formulae as other drivers have. Based on his performance in the junior formulae that he did do, his performance wasn't that great - he never won a junior formulae title.
Max never won a single seater title. That's a simple fact.
Interesting to compare the recent champions:
Michael - won the Formula Konig series and German F3 (at the second attempt) before starting F1 career. 3 junior years.
Alonso - won Euro Open by NIssan and finished 4th in an F3 series before starting F1 career. 2 junior years.
Kimi - won Formula Renault UK winter series (won all four races), won Formula Renault UK (7 wins in 10 races). 2 junior years.
Button - won British Formula Ford, came 3rd in F3 before F1 career. 2 junior years.
Vettel - won Formula BMW at second attempt, 2nd in F3. 4 junior years.
Rosberg - won Formula BMW at first attempt, won GP2 on only attempt. 5 junior years (4 + F1 test driver year).
Hamilton - won Formula Renault UK at second attempt, won F3 at second attempt, won GP2 on only attempt. 6 junior years.
Summary of junior series wins:
Hamilton 3
Michael 2
Kimi 2
Rosberg 2
Alonso 1
Button 1
Vettel 1
And I remember people moaning that Hamilton hadn't earned the right to be in a top car when he joined F1. He'd proved his calibre by doing several years and winning at each level before progressing.
If you are more fortunate than others, build a larger table not a taller fence.