F1 GISTS: "Ferrari Criticized for Choosing ‘Old’ Lewis Hamilton Over

“Ferrari Criticized for Choosing ‘Old’ Lewis Hamilton Over In-Form Carlos Sainz for 2025”

Ferrari’s decision to sign Lewis Hamilton for the 2025 Formula 1 season has sparked debate within the motorsport community, with some experts questioning whether the team made the right choice in choosing the seven-time World Champion over Carlos Sainz. One prominent critic of Ferrari’s move is former F1 driver and pundit Marc Surer, who believes the Italian team may have made a mistake in signing Hamilton, suggesting that the British driver is no longer as quick as he once was.

Hamilton, who will join Ferrari as Charles Leclerc’s teammate from the 2025 season onwards, has been a dominant force in Formula 1 for over a decade. However, Surer argues that Hamilton’s performance has dipped in recent years, and Ferrari may have overlooked this decline when they decided to pair him with Leclerc. According to Surer, while Hamilton remains an incredibly skilled driver, he may not be as fast as he was during his peak years at Mercedes.

Ferrari’s decision to bring in Hamilton has spelled the end of Sainz’s time with the team, a decision that has raised eyebrows given the Spaniard’s recent form. Sainz responded to the news of his impending departure by delivering impressive performances on the track, winning the Australian Grand Prix and most recently triumphing at the Mexican Grand Prix. With these victories, Sainz has shown that he is capable of competing at the highest level and has managed to outscore Hamilton in the 2024 season.

Sainz’s tally of 240 points this season has placed him ahead of Hamilton, who currently sits at 189 points. This performance disparity has only fueled the argument that Ferrari may have been too quick to let Sainz go in favor of Hamilton. Despite being set to join Williams for the 2025 season, Sainz has continued to outperform many of his rivals, including Hamilton, in recent races, raising questions about Ferrari’s decision-making process.

Both drivers have secured two race victories this season, with Hamilton winning at Silverstone and Spa, and Sainz claiming wins in Australia and Mexico. While Hamilton has had a solid season, it hasn’t been without its struggles. In particular, he has been outperformed in qualifying by his Mercedes teammate, George Russell. Russell has a 15-5 advantage over Hamilton in qualifying head-to-heads this season, a stat that is unusual for Hamilton, who is known for his strong qualifying performances. The last time Hamilton was outqualified by a teammate over the course of a season was in 2014, when Nico Rosberg got the better of him.

Surer’s critique of Hamilton centers around his belief that Hamilton may be losing some of the speed that once made him untouchable. He suggests that Ferrari may have overlooked Sainz’s current form and future potential by opting for a driver who, according to Surer, is no longer at the peak of his abilities.

However, Surer also acknowledges that Hamilton’s move to Ferrari could reignite his passion and motivation. Driving for Ferrari, a team with a storied history and passionate fanbase, could provide Hamilton with the spark he needs to prove his doubters wrong. Surer believes that once Hamilton sits in the Ferrari, he will be determined to show the world that the team made the right choice in signing him.

Ultimately, Ferrari’s decision to sign Hamilton is a gamble, and only time will tell if it pays off. While Surer and others may question whether Hamilton is still capable of performing at the highest level, there is no doubt that his experience and talent make him a valuable asset to any team. For Ferrari, the challenge will be ensuring that Hamilton’s presence helps them achieve their long-standing goal of returning to championship-winning form.