P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have shared a rivalry for the last handful of years, but an F1 champion has highlighted a key advantage the latter holds.
According to 1997 F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve, Lewis Hamilton brings a major advantage to a team over Max Verstappen due to his international image and value beyond F1. Hamilton is known for his vibrant lifestyle and involvement in various projects, making him recognizable even to those who don’t follow F1. Villeneuve emphasized that Hamilton’s value extends to circles unrelated to racing, while Verstappen’s worth is more focused on his achievements on the track. Despite their success, both drivers are the highest-paid in F1, with Hamilton recently signing with Ferrari after leaving Mercedes. Villeneuve praised Hamilton for his unique brand and global appeal, highlighting him as more than just a racer but a well-established brand.