Has Lewis Hamilton Lost His Edge? Martin Brundle Weighs In

The best of Lewis Hamilton may be behind him, but according to Martin Brundle, even at “96-97 percent,” the seven-time World Champion is still capable of winning another title.

After spending 12 years and securing six Drivers’ Championships with Mercedes, Hamilton has made his long-awaited move to Ferrari, fulfilling what he calls a “childhood dream.“

Lewis Hamilton’s Transition to Ferrari

The Briton officially arrived at Maranello for his first days with Scuderia Ferrari, where he met his new colleagues, including his race engineer Riccardo Adami, and began working on the simulator. The highlight of his week came when he completed his first-ever laps in a Ferrari F1 car, driving the SF-23 at Fiorano, with a crowd of enthusiastic Tifosi and his family in attendance.

Ferrari fans are hopeful that Hamilton can finally break their long title drought, with the team having last secured a World Championship in 2007 and their most recent Constructors’ title in 2008. Despite several near-misses over the years with top drivers like Felipe Massa, Fernando Alonso, and Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari has yet to reclaim its former glory.

Challenges in the Ground-Effect Era

Despite holding records for 105 race wins and seven World Championships, Hamilton has struggled in F1’s ground-effect aerodynamic era. With only two victories in the past three seasons, critics have started questioning if age is catching up with him. Notably, Hamilton lost his qualifying head-to-head battle with teammate George Russell, marking only the second time he has been outperformed by a teammate in his 18-year career.

Brundle acknowledges that Hamilton himself admitted to not being “as fast anymore,” but still believes that in the right car, he remains a formidable competitor.

Martin Brundle’s Perspective

Analyzing Hamilton’s recent performances, Brundle cited last year’s British Grand Prix, where Hamilton seized the opportunity to win, and his strong showing in Las Vegas, despite a disappointing qualifying session.

Brundle stated:

“The speed is still there. Do I think the best of Lewis Hamilton is ahead or behind him? I think it’s behind him. I think he’s lost an edge with age, as you do. However, 96-97 percent of Hamilton in a winning car is still good enough to clinch victories.”

Brundle further highlighted that Hamilton’s experience and enthusiasm, combined with the allure of driving for Ferrari, will provide him with renewed motivation.

Proving a Point to Mercedes

Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is not just about chasing championships; it’s also about proving a point. His former Mercedes boss, Toto Wolff, hinted at Hamilton’s “shelf life” in a recent book, implying that the team was preparing for a transition. Brundle believes Hamilton is determined to show that, even at 40 years old, he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level.

Can Hamilton Deliver for Ferrari?

While some believe Hamilton’s prime years are behind him, others argue that if Ferrari provides him with a championship-winning car, he has the skill, experience, and drive to bring home another title.

Brundle concluded, “If Ferrari has a race-winning or championship-winning car, Lewis Hamilton can absolutely win races and even fight for the championship.”

Only time will tell if Hamilton can add to his legacy with Ferrari, but one thing is certain – the racing world will be watching closely.