As Lewis Hamilton begins his new chapter with Ferrari in 2025, Formula 1 experts Martin Brundle and David Coulthard have shared candid thoughts on whether the seven-time world champion can return to his past glory or if his best days are behind him .
Brundle: “The best may be behind him, but there is still more to come”
Martin Brundle has reflected on Hamilton’s tumultuous 2024 season, where moments of brilliance, like his historic ninth victory at Silverstone, were juxtaposed with qualifying struggles and personal doubts at races like Qatar.
Speaking after Hamilton’s final race for Mercedes, Brundle praised his determination:
“Huge determination, a bit like Las Vegas too, right, where he came back through the field and showed a lot of speed, a lot of determination. »
However, Brundle acknowledged the elephant in the room: Hamilton’s age:
“A lot of people [disent]’Is Lewis on the decline?’ His absolute best could be behind him as he turns 40 in January. But, 98% of Lewis Hamilton in a Ferrari that wins races will win races. »
The move to Ferrari, Brundle suggested, could rekindle Hamilton’s hunger:
“Maybe he will find new energy there too. He showed today that there is still much more to come from Lewis Hamilton behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car.”
Coulthard: “A Disappointing Season for a Winning Machine”
However, David Coulthard was less lenient in his assessment of Hamilton’s 2024 campaign, calling it his most disappointing in F1:
“I would always point to Lewis as the biggest disappointment. He’s a seven-time World Champion and a real winning machine, but I’ve never seen this Lewis in Formula 1.”
Highlighting Hamilton’s struggles against teammate George Russell, who has outscored him in points and qualifying throughout the season, Coulthard added:
“The big guys can always find speed somewhere to put in a qualifying lap when it really counts, but Lewis seemed incapable of doing that last season. »
The Ferrari Factor: A New Chapter or More Challenges?
Both Coulthard and Brundle agreed that Hamilton’s move to Ferrari could be decisive. Ferrari’s iconic brand and its potential to build a competitive car could offer Hamilton a chance at redemption. Coulthard likened this transition to a transformative moment:
“Maybe the change to Ferrari for Hamilton, putting on that red suit, works the same way as Superman putting on his suit.”
But Coulthard issued a warning:
“Formula 1 remains a very data-dependent sport. The stopwatch doesn’t lie, and at the moment it’s just not delivering in terms of lap times.”
2025 and beyond: A decisive year?
Both analysts stressed that the upcoming season will be crucial. Hamilton’s legacy as one of F1’s greatest drivers is assured, but the challenge of adapting to a new team and car at Ferrari could define the final chapter of his legendary career.
It remains to be seen whether Ferrari can provide him with a machine capable of winning the championship. But as Brundle said, “98% Lewis Hamilton” in a competitive car is still a formidable force on the grid. Fans, pundits and rivals will be watching closely to see if Hamilton can defy the odds and rewrite his history in Ferrari’s famous red.
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