With Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari bow fast approaching, Formula One is divided over the seven-time world champion’s capabilities.
Lewis Hamilton has still got it, according to Mercedes director Andrew Shovlin, despite prominent Formula One figures feeling otherwise. The 40-year-old called time on his illustrious 12-year tenure with the Silver Arrows last year, having sent shockwaves around the sport in February when announcing his intentions to join Ferrari.
Hamilton will arrive on pastures red following a seventh-placed Drivers’ Championship finish – which saw him claim race victories at Silverstone and the Belgian Grand Prix.
A solid season hasn’t stopped those within the sport from feeling as though the man who holds seven world titles has reached the twilight of his career. However, Shovlin, who previously worked with Michael Schumacher for Mercedes, thinks there is plenty of fight in the old dog yet.
Speaking after Hamilton’s impressive fourth-placed finish in Abu Dhabi last year, Sky Sports F1 pundit Martin Brundle followed in the footsteps of many when admitting the Brit’s career may be sliding downhill.
“Plenty of people [are asking], ‘Is Lewis over the hill? Is his peak ahead of him or behind him?’” Brundle stated. “His absolute peak, it might be behind him as he turns 40 in January.”
Former team owner Eddie Jordan also criticised the Scuderia’s signing of Hamilton, stating on his Formula For Success podcast: “Lewis is a particularly nice person. I’m not sure there are many nicer people on the grid than Lewis Hamilton.
“However, my FFS goes to John Elkann of Ferrari for even authorising, signing off on that deal. It was absolutely suicidal to get rid of Carlos [Sainz].”
Yet, despite this pair and many others feeling as though there will be fewer sparks flying from the car of 40-year-old Hamilton when he takes to a Ferrari wheel, Shovlin firmly disagrees.
“You saw in Vegas how good he [Hamilton] is at chasing down a gap when he’s got one,” Shovlin told Sky F1 after Abu Dhabi. “He’s been quick all weekend. We let him down in qualifying. We should have started further up the grid.
“But, just it was nice to finish with a really strong drive from Lewis. He’s clearly still got it. He’s determined to keep going and keep winning races, keep battling for his record, and we’ll be cheering him on.”
With Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari bow fast approaching, Formula One is divided over the seven-time world champion’s capabilities.
Lewis Hamilton has still got it, according to Mercedes director Andrew Shovlin, despite prominent Formula One figures feeling otherwise. The 40-year-old called time on his illustrious 12-year tenure with the Silver Arrows last year, having sent shockwaves around the sport in February when announcing his intentions to join Ferrari.
Hamilton will arrive on pastures red following a seventh-placed Drivers’ Championship finish – which saw him claim race victories at Silverstone and the Belgian Grand Prix.
A solid season hasn’t stopped those within the sport from feeling as though the man who holds seven world titles has reached the twilight of his career. However, Shovlin, who previously worked with Michael Schumacher for Mercedes, thinks there is plenty of fight in the old dog yet.
Speaking after Hamilton’s impressive fourth-placed finish in Abu Dhabi last year, Sky Sports F1 pundit Martin Brundle followed in the footsteps of many when admitting the Brit’s career may be sliding downhill.
“Plenty of people [are asking], ‘Is Lewis over the hill? Is his peak ahead of him or behind him?’” Brundle stated. “His absolute peak, it might be behind him as he turns 40 in January.”
Former team owner Eddie Jordan also criticised the Scuderia’s signing of Hamilton, stating on his Formula For Success podcast: “Lewis is a particularly nice person. I’m not sure there are many nicer people on the grid than Lewis Hamilton.
“However, my FFS goes to John Elkann of Ferrari for even authorising, signing off on that deal. It was absolutely suicidal to get rid of Carlos [Sainz].”
Yet, despite this pair and many others feeling as though there will be fewer sparks flying from the car of 40-year-old Hamilton when he takes to a Ferrari wheel, Shovlin firmly disagrees.
“You saw in Vegas how good he [Hamilton] is at chasing down a gap when he’s got one,” Shovlin told Sky F1 after Abu Dhabi. “He’s been quick all weekend. We let him down in qualifying. We should have started further up the grid.
“But, just it was nice to finish with a really strong drive from Lewis. He’s clearly still got it. He’s determined to keep going and keep winning races, keep battling for his record, and we’ll be cheering him on.”
