Hamilton blasted for being 'TOO OLD' for ......

Hamilton blasted for being ‘TOO OLD’ for ……read more

Lewis Hamilton has recently come under fire for his performances in Formula 1, with critics questioning whether the 39-year-old champion has passed his prime. Despite being in his 18th season in F1, Hamilton has shown no signs of retiring and has even confirmed his move to Ferrari for the 2025 season. Ferrari’s recent performances have been strong, with Charles Leclerc securing a victory at the Circuit of the Americas and Carlos Sainz winning in Mexico. This has raised hopes that when Hamilton joins the team next year, their competitive pace will help him in his pursuit of a record-breaking eighth World Championship title.

However, recent performances have sparked debate over whether Hamilton’s best days are behind him. His teammate, George Russell, has outpaced him in several races this season, further fueling speculation that the seven-time world champion may no longer be at the top of his game. Hamilton’s performance at the 2024 US Grand Prix was a particularly low point, as he crashed during the formation lap, while his struggles continued at the Brazilian Grand Prix, where he was unable to finish higher than 10th place.

The criticism reached a new level following comments from motoring journalist and TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson. In his column for The Sun, Clarkson took a swipe at Hamilton, bluntly stating that the Mercedes driver is “past his prime.” Clarkson pointed to Hamilton’s struggles in Brazil, where he blamed his car for his disappointing qualifying performance, while his teammate Russell made it to the front row.

Clarkson also suggested that Hamilton’s issues could be related to his upcoming move to Ferrari, joking that Mercedes may be deliberately sabotaging his performance by filling his fuel tank with “lemon barley water” instead of petrol. However, he dismissed this idea, implying that Hamilton’s struggles are more likely a result of age rather than external factors. According to Clarkson, the evidence suggests that Hamilton is simply “too old” to maintain the same level of performance as younger drivers like Verstappen and Russell.

While Hamilton’s age is often cited as a factor in his recent decline in performance, he has been adamant about continuing in F1 for the foreseeable future. The move to Ferrari represents a new chapter in his career, and if the team’s recent progress continues, Hamilton will hope to return to championship contention. However, the question of whether the veteran driver can still compete with the sport’s younger stars remains a hot topic of debate as the 2024 season progresses. Despite the criticisms, Hamilton remains committed to proving his worth and chasing that elusive eighth title.