Worrying Lewis Hamilton sign ahead of seven-time F1 champion's Ferrari debut
Worrying Lewis Hamilton sign ahead of seven-time F1 champion's Ferrari debut
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Ferrari have been warned that they are getting an "out of sorts" Lewis Hamilton with the "clock ticking" on his time at the top. As soon as the Brit became available, Ferrari leapt at the chance to make a deal happen. For 2025, they are gaining a seven-time Formula 1 champion who is determined to secure an eighth title before he retires.
But Hamilton is also in the twilight of his remarkable racing career, having turned 40 earlier in January. And his record in the current generation of F1 cars pales in comparison to his previous achievements, having struggled for his last three seasons in a trio of under-competitive Mercedes machines.
Last year, his seventh-placed finish in the drivers' championship was the lowest of his entire F1 career. And the fact he was comprehensively out-performed by team-mate George Russell in qualifying over the course of the year has been widely spoken about.
Team principal Frederic Vasseur has made it clear he is not at all concerned about Hamilton's ability, despite his relatively advanced years. And though former F1 racer David Coulthard hopes the Frenchman is right, he knows there is some evidence suggesting his fellow Brit could be on the decline.
The Channel 4 pundit said: "Lewis is a winning machine, he's broken all the records, but this isn't a personality contest, it's not an opinion contest - it's a data-driven contest. And to be out-qualified consistently by George... the greats don't have bad cars.
"He's got out of sorts with this current phase of his age and formula, and whether Ferrari are the kickstart to bring him back or not remains to be seen, but I'd say that's pretty worrying. It doesn't detract from his brilliance, doesn't take away anything from the records, but there is a thing called Mother Nature and the clock is ticking.".
