Despite having not won a race since the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton continues to be Formula 1’s most supported driver, at least that’s the view of ex-F1 driver turned pundit Martin Brundle.
Given that he boasts significantly more social media followers than the other drivers, most would expect Hamilton to still be the sport’s most popular driver.
However, his form on the track would perhaps argue otherwise, with him having not claimed a victory now for almost two years.
The sport has been dominated by Max Verstappen ever since he controversially claimed the 2021 crown, to the extent that he’s won 25 of the 34 completed races in the new aerodynamic era of F1.
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Nobody has been able to touch the Dutchman, who is often the most popular driver by some margin in Austria and the Netherlands, unsurprisingly.
He’ll be heavily supported this weekend at the Dutch Grand Prix, whereas Hamilton could find himself subjected to boos by the Verstappen fans.
It tends to be the other way around at venues where Hamilton is the best supported driver, as seen at the United States Grand Prix last season, where Verstappen was on the receiving end of boos and jeers.
Overall though, Hamilton seemingly remains the most popular driver in the sport, with Brundle having conducted his own poll during the summer break.
He revealed on social media that he met lots of F1 fans during the break, and always asked them who they supported.
According to Brundle, “95%” said they supported Hamilton, a staggering figure.
“So I’ve been out and about in the summer break. Met many and all kinds of F1 fans who want to engage which is really great,” Brundle wrote on social media.
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“Always thank them for their passion about our sport and ask them who they support. 95% have said Lewis, so there you have it. Just a Marty poll but fact.”
Hamilton will be hoping for a strong second half of 2023, having claimed four podiums in the first half.
His biggest target will likely be to claim a race win, something which would fill him with confidence ahead of 2024, should he sign an extension with Mercedes.