"Lewis is the first driver I put on the same level as Ayrton" says Gerhard Berger

Former Formula 1 driver Gerhard Berger believes that Lewis Hamilton is on a similar level to that of the sports most iconic driver, Ayrton Senna. Hamilton is the best driver of this generation but to be likened to one of the sports best historical racers is an incredible compliment.

"Everybody asks me ‘How do you see this driver against Ayrton?’ and I always, in all the years, say ‘I don’t see anybody near to Ayrton’," said the 59-year-old former driver to F1i.com.

"I go more by feeling and watching, and for me — and there were great champions like Nelson (Piquet), like Niki (Lauda), like (Alain) Prost, like Michael (Schumacher) – there has always been one above. Ayrton," he said.

This compliment will divide the opinion of Formula 1 fans but it is hard to argue against the fact that Hamilton is an exceptional driver who will go down in history as one of the greats.