Breaking: Mercedes warned over Hamilton ‘TRICKS’ ahead of Ferrari…read more
Mercedes warned over Hamilton ‘TRICKS’ ahead of Ferrari…read more
Former Formula 1 driver Marc Surer has cast doubt on Lewis Hamilton’s ability to maintain his edge when he departs Mercedes to join Ferrari. Surer suggested that while Hamilton’s experience is invaluable, his advancing age could hinder his raw speed compared to younger drivers.
Speaking on the Formel1.de YouTube channel, Surer acknowledged the initial excitement around Hamilton’s Ferrari move but warned of potential long-term challenges. “When Hamilton arrives, it’s a positive story at first,” Surer said. “But in the long run, it’s the wrong decision. Lewis Hamilton is getting old.”
Hamilton, who turns 40 before debuting with Ferrari at the 2025 winter tests, will face the realities of aging in a sport that thrives on precision and speed. While some veteran drivers have thrived later in their careers—Fernando Alonso is competitive at 43, and Michael Schumacher returned to F1 at 41—Surer highlighted the inevitable decline in outright speed with age.
“You don’t get faster with age,” Surer explained. “You gain experience and tricks for races, but pure speed fades. Even a few hundredths of a second per year make a difference. I’m convinced Hamilton isn’t as quick as he once was.”
Hamilton’s recent performance against Mercedes teammate George Russell supports this claim. In the 2024 season, Russell has outqualified Hamilton in 16 of 21 races and leads their Sprint Shootout battles 4-1. Russell also holds an edge in direct race duels, leading 13-8, and narrowly leads Hamilton by two points in the standings with 192.
Meanwhile, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz has delivered standout results, scoring 50 points across the Austin and Mexico races before a DNF in São Paulo limited him to four points. Sainz’s form has raised questions about Ferrari’s strategy, especially as he leads Hamilton by 54 points in the standings.
Despite concerns, some believe Hamilton could thrive at Ferrari. Surer acknowledged that motivation plays a key role in Hamilton’s performance. While he has struggled to stay consistently inspired at Mercedes amid their decline, his Silverstone win in July demonstrated his capability when motivated.
“At Ferrari, he’ll be highly motivated,” Surer noted. “He’ll want to prove joining Ferrari was the right choice.”
Ferrari’s gamble on Hamilton underscores the tension between leveraging his vast experience and navigating a generational shift in F1. Only time will reveal if the seven-time champion can deliver a revival in Ferrari red.
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