F1 Popular Star SLAMS Ferrari for Replacing their star Driver with

Eddie Jordan Slams Ferrari for Replacing Carlos Sainz with Lewis Hamilton: “Rocks in His Head”

Eddie Jordan, the former F1 team owner, recently criticized Ferrari’s decision to replace Carlos Sainz with Lewis Hamilton, calling the move irrational. In a candid conversation on the Formula For Success podcast with former F1 driver David Coulthard, Jordan expressed his disbelief, even going so far as to say that Ferrari chairman John Elkann must have “rocks in his head” to make such a decision.

Jordan, who has a close relationship with Sainz’s father, Carlos Sainz Sr., was particularly emotional after witnessing both father and son in tears following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The decision to let go of Sainz, who is seen as a strong and capable driver, has left many, including Jordan, puzzled. He explained his frustration at seeing Sainz Jr. sign with Williams for the upcoming seasons, a move that came as a result of his unexpected departure from Ferrari.

“What I don’t understand is why they would replace Sainz, who has been performing well,” Jordan said. “He didn’t deserve to be ousted. And to make it worse, they replaced him with Lewis Hamilton, who recently hinted at not being as fast as he once was.”

Jordan’s criticism of Hamilton stems from a recent comment made by the seven-time world champion, where Hamilton suggested that he might not be fast enough in qualifying anymore. For Jordan, this statement revealed something about Hamilton’s mindset that concerned him. He argued that psychological factors are crucial in assessing a driver’s ability and that Hamilton’s self-doubt could impact his performance.

“I got a lot of backlash for saying that I didn’t think Lewis should go to Ferrari, but when a driver says something like ‘I don’t think I’m fast enough anymore,’ that sticks with me,” Jordan continued. “I’m a psychological person, and I believe what’s going on inside a driver’s mind often translates into their performance. Whether you’re driving a car, truck, or train, your approach to the moment is key. Right now, I’m not convinced that Hamilton is in the right headspace.”

Jordan admitted that he hopes Hamilton proves him wrong, but for now, he believes that Ferrari made a mistake in replacing Sainz. He added, “Leclerc is fast, but so is Sainz. Who in their right mind would replace him? John Elkann must have rocks in his head to have made that decision.”

The emotional toll on the Sainz family was evident, with Jordan recounting his conversation with Carlos Sainz Sr. “I spoke to his father and told him what a great job they’d done. Carlos Sr. was in tears, and Carlos himself was in tears. He still doesn’t fully understand why he was let go, and to be honest, neither do I.”

Coulthard, offering his perspective, acknowledged the potential business motivations behind Ferrari’s decision. He pointed out that Hamilton’s move to Ferrari in February 2024 had a noticeable impact on Ferrari’s stock market value. “When the announcement came out that Hamilton was going to Ferrari, the stock market saw a little bump. The allure of a seven-time world champion, who holds records for wins and poles, was irresistible.”

Coulthard also suggested that Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes may have been inevitable. “This decision saves Mercedes from having to deal with the end of Hamilton’s incredibly successful run. All of Hamilton’s F1 victories have come with Mercedes power, but it was always going to come to an end. Now, it’s Ferrari’s turn to take on the challenge. Good luck to them.”

In the end, while Jordan remains unconvinced about the logic behind the move, Coulthard highlighted the broader business and legacy aspects at play, making the situation more complex than it may seem at first glance.