F1 veteran settles Lewis Hamilton vs Michael Schumacher GOAT debate after working with both

Former F1 designer and engineer Aldo Costa has had his say on the Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton debate after working with both drivers throughout his career.

Both Hamilton and Schumacher hold the record for the most world driver championships with seven titles each, with Hamilton winning six of his seven at Mercedes, and Schumacher five of his seven at Ferrari.

Hamilton has the edge over the German when it comes to both race wins and pole positions, however, Schumacher's legacy at F1's greatest-ever team (Ferrari) sets him apart.

Costa, who worked with both Hamilton and Schumacher during his time at Mercedes and Ferrari has now revealed the pair are far more similar than 'you might imagine' when asked to compare the two by QN Motori.

“I want to say right away that Michael and Lewis are less far apart than you might imagine," he began.

“Both have always had a very analytical approach to things on the track. They are meticulous, very professional. They know that at certain levels it is the details that shift the balance, that determine the outcome.

“Michael was very human in his working relationship. He would sit there with the engineers and calmly convey his feelings about the car he was driving. He was never obsessive, that’s all.

“[Hamilton is the] same thing. Lewis I got to know better because in Mercedes I had a role that put me in more direct contact with the driver.

“He and I were symbiotic. Hamilton, like Schumi, asks for trust and trusts you."

Costa noted that probably the biggest difference between Hamilton and Schumacher is due to the different eras they raced in, despite racing against each other briefly.

“[But] then, of course, they are also distinct and distant from each other. They belong to non-overlapping cultures. Can I give you an example?" he continued.

Costa believes the different input drivers now have on car development make it very hard to judge the pair, with Schumacher doing all of his testing on track, while modern-day drivers use a high-tech simulator.

Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher- Getty

“Schumacher was the last driver of an era when cars were developed on the track, through continuous testing on the asphalt, and in this he was formidable, unique I dare say," Costa explained.

“Lewis belongs to the time of the simulator. He has nothing to do with it, the rules have changed. In short: Michael was always behind the wheel, Hamilton almost never because he can’t."

Costa also explained that when Schumacher returned to the F1 with Mercedes he found work on the simulator extremely difficult, highlighting his point.

“It’s no coincidence that when Schumi returned to racing in 2010, without circuit testing, he had a bad time, he really hated the simulator," he concluded.