Mercedes warned over Hamilton 'TRICKS' ahead of Ferrari switch.

Mercedes warned over Hamilton ‘TRICKS’ ahead of Ferrari switch…..read more

Marc Surer, a former Formula 1 driver, has raised concerns about Lewis Hamilton’s potential move from Mercedes to Ferrari, questioning whether the 40-year-old’s age will impact his performance in the long run. While acknowledging Hamilton’s wealth of experience and past success, Surer pointed out that age often diminishes raw speed, something that could affect Hamilton’s future competitiveness against younger, faster drivers.

Hamilton, who is set to turn 40 before he begins testing with Ferrari in 2025, has had an illustrious career, securing seven World Championships, most recently in 2020. However, as Surer pointed out in an interview on the Formel1.de YouTube channel, the passage of time inevitably takes its toll on a driver’s physical capabilities. While experience and racecraft improve with age, the raw speed required to compete at the highest levels tends to fade, according to Surer. He believes Hamilton may no longer possess the same pace he once did, despite his vast experience.

The impact of age on a driver’s performance is not a new debate in F1. Legendary drivers like Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso have shown that seasoned athletes can continue to perform at a high level even well into their 40s. Schumacher returned to F1 with Mercedes at the age of 41, while Alonso, now 43, continues to compete at the front with Aston Martin. However, Surer cautions that Hamilton’s age could be a limiting factor, particularly when compared to the rising stars in F1 like George Russell.

Surer’s concerns are supported by Hamilton’s recent performance against his teammate George Russell at Mercedes. In 2024, Russell has consistently outperformed Hamilton in qualifying sessions, leading the head-to-head 16-5. Russell has also been faster in Sprint Shootouts, winning four out of five, and in direct race duels, where he leads 13-8. As of the Brazilian Grand Prix, Russell has accumulated 192 points, surpassing Hamilton by two points in the standings. This performance gap has led to further questions about whether Hamilton, now entering the twilight years of his career, can continue to match the speed and consistency of younger competitors.

Ferrari, who have struggled to challenge the dominant teams in recent years, are pinning hopes on Hamilton to help return the team to championship contention. Despite their underwhelming performance in 2024, Ferrari have had flashes of potential, particularly with driver Carlos Sainz, who has shown impressive form in recent races. Sainz scored 50 points in just two races post-summer, although a late DNF in Brazil prevented him from adding more points. Ferrari’s decision to sign Hamilton for 2025 suggests they believe his experience could provide the team with the guidance and leadership needed to compete at the front again.

However, Surer is skeptical about whether Hamilton can deliver the immediate performance boost Ferrari is hoping for. He believes that while Hamilton’s experience and “tricks”—the nuances of racecraft he’s developed over his career—will certainly be valuable, they might not be enough to compensate for the inevitable loss of raw pace. As Surer explains, even a slight drop in speed each year can accumulate over time, meaning Hamilton’s performance may not be at the level Ferrari requires in a highly competitive environment.

Despite these reservations, Surer acknowledges that motivation plays a crucial role in Hamilton’s performance. He noted that Hamilton has often struggled to maintain his drive in recent years, particularly as Mercedes has fallen behind the leading teams in terms of performance. However, when Hamilton is highly motivated, he has proven time and again that he can still perform at a very high level. His victory at the 2023 British Grand Prix at Silverstone, where he overcame a number of challenges, highlighted that when Hamilton is inspired, he can still deliver top-tier results.

Surer also noted that Ferrari could provide Hamilton with the fresh challenge and motivation he needs to reignite his passion for the sport. The allure of joining a team with such a rich history and the opportunity to prove himself after a period of frustration at Mercedes could be the spark Hamilton needs to push himself to new heights.

In conclusion, while Marc Surer’s comments underscore the potential risks of Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, they also highlight the complexity of the situation. Ferrari is betting on Hamilton’s vast experience to help them close the gap to the front runners, but they must also contend with the challenges posed by his advancing age and the rise of younger, faster drivers. If Hamilton can recapture his motivation and continue to leverage his wealth of experience, there could still be a few more chapters of success in his career, but Ferrari’s gamble remains uncertain.