Lewis Hamilton F1 News: Cocky sporting legend Ronnie O'Sullivan CHALLENGES Mercedes star in stunning claim

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, China, 2024 — Photo: © IMAGO

F1 Legends

Cocky sporting legend CHALLENGES Hamilton in stunning claim

Hamilton has few equals in his chosen discipline

Stuart Telford

Tuesday 23 April 2024 22:57

Lewis Hamilton's Formula 1 dominance has come under attack from Max Verstappen in recent years, but he might have had more to contend with if another sporting star had chosen a different path.

Hamilton has claimed a joint-record seven world championship titles, a number he shares with Michael Schumacher, and dominated the sport with Mercedes between 2014 and 2020.

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But he has had to watch on in recent seasons as Verstappen and Red Bull have raced off into the distance, with the Dutchman winning each of the last three world titles.

Mercedes have had difficulties with their car in that time, and Hamilton and Ferrari will both be hoping they can restore former glories when the Englishman moves to Maranello in 2025.

Ronnie O'Sullivan is also a seven-time world champion, in his case in snooker, and 'The Rocket' has made a bold claim about what he might have achieved had he not pursued his chosen sport.

Ronnie O'Sullivan in his natural habitat

Lewis Hamilton heads for Ferrari in 2025

O'Sullivan: 'I'd be challenging Hamilton'

The snooker legend believes that he would have what it takes to race alongside Hamilton in F1, and even challenge the Brit's supreme talents.

"I'd probably be challenging Lewis Hamilton round a Formula 1 track, probably give him a good run for his money as well - because I'm a bit nifty in a car," O'Sullivan told Eurosport.

"I think I was actually gifted to be a good driver. I'd have definitely been a world champion at some sort of motorsport. I've no doubt about that."

Hamilton has had to overcome a lot in his career, from a relative lack of funds early in his journey to becoming the first [and still only] black driver to finish a race in the sport - topics he has been open about.

O'Sullivan, whilst claiming he might have challenged another great in an unrelated discipline, did at least put Hamilton in exalted company.

"I think you have to be a strong character to get through what I have had to get through off the table, on the table, being in a competitive sport…

"Lewis Hamilton, Tyson Fury, must have a strong character. Lionel Messi must have a strong character."

Red Bull Max Verstappen Lewis Hamilton Ferrari Mercedes Michael Schumacher