Back in 2007, the Formula 1 world witnessed an intense rivalry that would go down in history as one of the most heated teammate battles. Lewis Hamilton, a rookie with unparalleled promise, was paired with Fernando Alonso, the two-time reigning World Champion, at McLaren. The pressure was on, as both drivers were hungry for the title, but there was an underlying tension that made it clear: two alpha drivers cannot coexist under the same roof.

While their rivalry is well-known, what many might not realize is that, at the start, Fernando Alonso completely underestimated Hamilton’s potential. In a recent interview, David Coulthard revealed that Alonso initially had little faith in Hamilton’s abilities. According to Coulthard, Alonso questioned McLaren boss Ron Dennis, saying, “You don’t want to win the constructors?” implying that Hamilton wasn’t worthy of competing at the highest level.

Despite Hamilton’s success in the junior categories, Alonso’s doubts were rooted in the belief that a rookie wouldn’t be able to compete with an established champion. Coulthard, however, noted that anyone who had seen Hamilton’s rise through karting and the lower formulas knew he was something special. But, at the time, McLaren was in a fierce battle for the Constructors’ Championship against Ferrari, so Alonso’s doubts weren’t entirely unfounded.

But Hamilton defied the odds, standing toe-to-toe with Alonso and pushing him to his limits. Their rivalry reached such an intense point that McLaren had no choice but to part ways with Alonso after just one season. The team’s decision to back Hamilton proved to be the right one, as the Briton went on to claim his first World Championship the following year.

Fast forward to today, Hamilton’s career has been nothing short of legendary. His seven World Championships and enduring dominance in F1 have cemented his status as one of the greatest drivers in the sport’s history. As he prepares to make a move to Ferrari at the end of the season, Hamilton’s legacy continues to grow, adding another chapter to an already remarkable career. Whether or not his move will bring more championships remains to be seen, but one thing is for certain: Hamilton’s journey from underestimated rookie to F1’s GOAT is a story of perseverance, skill, and triumph.