Ferrari Has Potential Successor in Place for Lewis Hamilton Amid

Ferrari Has Potential Successor in Place for Lewis Hamilton Amid Age Concerns

As Lewis Hamilton prepares to make his highly anticipated move to Ferrari in 2024, questions loom regarding the British F1 legend’s longevity. Turning 40 before he debuts in Ferrari red, Hamilton’s recent performances with Mercedes have cast some doubt on whether he remains at the peak of his racing powers. After six world titles with Mercedes, his departure from the team ends an era filled with trophies but an underwhelming final season.

Reflecting on his struggles this year, Hamilton recently labeled his car in the Brazilian Grand Prix as “the worst” he’s ever driven. This season, he has faced a string of challenges, including two Q1 exits in the last three races and difficulties in one-lap qualifying performance. While Hamilton has frequently cited the car’s performance as the primary issue, there has been speculation about whether his age could also be a factor. Even Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff recently hinted that the partnership’s end may have come at the right time.

In the new book Inside Mercedes F1, Wolff explained the team’s reasoning for only offering Hamilton a one-plus-one-year contract, suggesting it was partly due to concerns over cognitive sharpness—a critical attribute in such a high-stakes sport. “Everyone has a shelf life,” said Wolff, acknowledging the challenge of balancing loyalty to Hamilton with the need to focus on emerging talent. “It helps us because it avoids the moment where we need to tell the sport’s most iconic driver that we want to stop.”

As Hamilton transitions to Ferrari, the Italian team has reportedly considered these age-related concerns and is believed to have a successor in mind should Hamilton’s performance wane. Ferrari’s planning for the future reflects the team’s understanding that while Hamilton’s experience and star power bring immediate value, younger drivers may represent the long-term path forward.

With just three races left in his Mercedes career, Hamilton may have limited chances to finish on a high note. However, his switch to Ferrari marks the start of a new chapter. Whether he can maintain his competitive edge and prove his critics wrong will be a major storyline for F1 fans next season.