Mercedes’ current F1 dominance “bigger” than Ferrari era - Todt

FIA president Jean Todt believes Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton’s current dominance of Formula 1 has usurped that of the Ferrari and Michael Schumacher era.

Todt was in charge of Ferrari when the Italian outfit established itself as the dominant force in F1, winning six consecutive constructors’ championships from 1999 to 2004, while Schumacher claimed five successive world titles at the Scuderia between 2000 and 2004.

Red Bull went on to take four successive world championship doubles between 2010 and 2013 but Ferrari’s record remained unrivalled until the V6 hybrid era that has been dominated by Mercedes.

Last year Mercedes surpassed Ferrari’s benchmark by maintaining its clean sweep of world championships since 2014 by winning yet another world championship double - its seventh on the bounce.

Hamilton also clinched his seventh drivers’ title - and sixth since 2014 with Mercedes - to draw level with Schumacher’s all-time record.

And Todt feels that Mercedes’ level of dominance is now “bigger” than what Ferrari achieved under his leadership.

"I think we are talking about different persons, different ingredients," Todt said.

“The only thing really we can compare is seven against seven. But otherwise, on one side, you had a very structured organised German team, with a very talented, extra talented driver.

"And on the other side, you had one Italian team with different mentality, a different approach, which became a well-structured, well-organised and also with a great driver, Michael Schumacher.

"I feel, and I'm sure I will be quoted for that, the supremacy, the dominance of Mercedes and Lewis is bigger than the one we had at the time with Ferrari and Michael.

"And credit to them, the car is very reliable. Apart from the second Bahrain race which was missed by Lewis, in two years he did not miss to score points in a race.

"It's absolutely outstanding. And the driver is not doing any mistakes. It's just a combination again.”

Hamilton charged to his seventh drivers’ crown in convincing fashion, winning 10 of the 16 races he contested in 2020. Todt said he is most impressed by Hamilton’s teamwork, as well as his remarkably consistent levels of performance.

"I've been very impressed, but I did not wait until 2020 to be impressed," he explained.

"You just mentioned that he is celebrating seven times being a world champion, so I've been impressed at least six times before.

"I'm also impressed by the continuity of what his team have been able to secure. We are in a world where it's not only a sportsman or a sportswoman, it's a man and a machine, and here, it's the best example of outstanding team spirit, team work.

"And I must give also a lot of credit to Lewis every time he speaks about the success, he speaks about the team behind him for the success.

"I'm very impressed and clearly that does explain why the records, some have been beaten, some have been equal."