Mercedes chief having none of it as Lewis Hamilton at centre....

Mercedes chief having none of it as Lewis Hamilton at centre….read more

Mercedes director Andrew Shovlin has come out in support of Lewis Hamilton amidst growing speculation about the seven-time world champion’s future in Formula One. Following his departure from Mercedes after a remarkable 12-year tenure, Hamilton’s move to Ferrari in February surprised the motorsport community. Despite a strong performance that included a seventh-place finish in the Drivers’ Championship and notable victories at Silverstone and the Belgian Grand Prix, some voices within the paddock have begun to question whether Hamilton’s best years are behind him.

The 40-year-old British driver has faced scrutiny, especially as he approaches a significant milestone in his life. Commentators and pundits are increasingly asking whether Hamilton’s peak performance is a thing of the past, particularly as he turns 40 in January. Martin Brundle, a respected pundit for Sky Sports F1, echoed these concerns after Hamilton secured a fourth-place finish in Abu Dhabi, noting that many are pondering the question: “Is Lewis over the hill? Is his peak ahead of him or behind him?” The sentiment reflects a broader uncertainty regarding Hamilton’s capabilities as he transitions to a new team and a new chapter in his career.

Eddie Jordan, a former Formula One team owner, also weighed in on the situation, expressing skepticism about Ferrari’s decision to sign Hamilton. On his podcast, “Formula For Success,” he acknowledged Hamilton’s character, stating, “Lewis is a particularly nice person. I’m not sure there are many nicer people on the grid than Lewis Hamilton.” However, he criticized Ferrari’s move, suggesting it was unwise to let go of Carlos Sainz, implying that the decision to bring in Hamilton could be detrimental to the team’s future.

Despite the doubts expressed by some within the motorsport community, Shovlin maintains a confident stance regarding Hamilton’s abilities. He highlighted Hamilton’s performance in recent races, particularly noting how well he managed to chase down gaps during the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Shovlin remarked, “You saw in Vegas how good he is at chasing down a gap when he’s got one. He’s been quick all weekend. We let him down in qualifying. We should have started further up the grid.” This indicates that Shovlin believes Hamilton still possesses the skill and determination necessary to compete at the highest level.

Shovlin’s comments reflect a broader sense of optimism within the Mercedes camp regarding Hamilton’s potential to continue excelling in Formula One. He emphasized that Hamilton remains committed to winning races and pursuing his record-breaking achievements. “It was