Stewart explains Hamilton difficulty behind Ferrari switch

Sir Jackie Stewart feels Lewis Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari will prove to be “more difficult” given his age.

Three-time F1 champion Stewart feels seven-time king Hamilton will not be found wanting for talent when he steps behind the wheel of a Prancing Horse next season.

Stewart, however, feels the move, which sees Hamilton join Ferrari after 12 seasons with Mercedes, would be a different proposition for his fellow Briton compared to 10 or 15 years ago
Asked for his thoughts on Hamilton joining Ferrari next year, when he will be 40, speaking exclusively to RacingNews365 in its latest podcast, Stewart said: “Yes, I’m somewhat surprised by that, because of becoming 40 and going into a team that has very recently become very competitive.

“It [Ferrari] went down quite a lot. There have been many management structures within the Ferrari Formula 1 team that have been disruptive.

“They’ve now got a more stable situation around them. And Lewis is seeing, when you go to the Ferrari factory, you’re impressed.

“Hardly any other brand, if you like to call it, in Formula 1, has had anything like the same continuity as Ferrari has had for such a long time.”

Stewart, who competed in 99 grands prix between 1965 to 1973, recounted that he “nearly drove for Ferrari”, only to pull out of the move.

The 85-year-old can understand, however, the allure to Hamilton as it is something he experienced back in the day.

“I committed to drive for Ferrari, but I had to tell them that it was no longer practical because it had become almost an everyday change at Mr Ferrari’s moment,” said Stewart. “So I never did drive with Ferrari.

“But when I went there, I was taken aback. It was so impressive. The spirit of the place was amazing. The Italians are great people, they explain themselves very carefully and excitedly, and I’m sure that’s what Lewis has experienced too.”

Picking up on the age factor, Stewart added: “It’s more difficult for him to do it, I think, at 40 years than it would have been if he was 25 or 30 years.

“But he’s still got the skill and talent. That is obvious at present, such as at the British Grand Prix this year [Hamilton ending a two-year winless drought].

“It’s unusual [going to Ferrari], but at some point he has to retire as a racing driver. He feels that time has not yet arrived, and I can understand that.”