Martin Brundle worries Lewis Hamilton's "peak" may be behind him as the Brit prepares to mount a title challenge with new team Ferrari. Hamilton officially became a Ferrari employee at the start of January, almost 12 months on from his decision to quit Mercedes. And on Tuesday he celebrated his 40th birthday, ahead of his competitive debut with his new outfit in March.
To achieve his dream of winning an eighth title before retiring from Formula 1, Hamilton will have to make yet more history. No driver over 40 has won a race since Nigel Mansell did so at the 1994 Australian Grand Prix, while 1966 was the last season which ended with someone in their 40s as the drivers' champion - Jack Brabham's third and final title.
Furthermore, questions were raised last season over whether Hamilton is still in his prime. He was comprehensively beaten by team-mate George Russell in their qualifying and race finish head-to-heads over the course of the 2024 campaign, while the younger Brit also finished ahead in the championship.
Hamilton ended his Mercedes career on a high by overcoming a disappointing qualifying result to finish fourth in Abu Dhabi, including a breath-taking overtake on Russell during the final lap. But despite that strong showing, Sky Sports F1 pundit Brundle still thinks the seven-time champion may be over the hill.
He said: "Tremendous drive, a bit like Las Vegas as well, wasn't it? Where he came back through the field and just showed a lot of pace, a lot of determination. Plenty of people [are asking], 'Is Lewis over the hill? Is his peak ahead of him or behind him?' His absolute peak, it might be behind him as he turns 40 in January.".
