Lewis Hamilton ‘past his prime’ as Ferrari F1 debut approaches, says Jeremy Clarkson
Lewis Hamilton is ‘past his prime’ as he approaches his Ferrari debut, according to renowned Formula 1 fan Jeremy Clarkson.
The 40-year-old’s preparations for his first season with the Maranello team are in full swing, having arrived in Italy from Tifosi last week and causing quite a stir. Hamilton tested the 2022 F1-75 at Ferrari’s private test track in Fiorano in front of media and fans from around the world who gathered to catch a glimpse of the seven-time world champion.
The former Mercedes driver also posted a photo of himself – dressed in a dark suit and coat, standing next to an F40 road car outside Enzo Ferrari’s home – which has racked up more than five million likes on Instagram. This was also the subject of a parody by the former Top Gear presenter, who also posed in front of a Range Rover and the animals from his Diddley Squat farm.
Jeremy Clarkson, an avid F1 fan, wondered whether Lewis Hamilton had reached the peak of his career and whether a move to Ferrari would bring him success.
While Hamilton seemed happy and optimistic about his future with the team, Clarkson questioned Hamilton’s motives for the move in his Sun column. “Lewis Hamilton wants the eighth world championship before retirement, and thinks he has the fastest car this year, so he moved to Ferrari.
“He can make sense. Early rumours suggest that the car is indeed very fast.
“But if he is so keen to win an eighth world title, he should have been there from day one, eager to arrive at the factory and learn the secrets of the car and how to make the most of his extensive racing techniques. “Instead, he arrived in an SUV, in a suit and tie, and posed for photos before speaking to fans, under the watchful eye of a video drone that, thankfully, was there to capture the moment.
“Then there was a tour of the team headquarters where, in slow motion, we saw the obsequious engineers and the applause. “And finally, he went on a truck with a 3 -year -old F1 Ferrari.
“It is said that his new house is not near the team’s headquarters. He’s in Milan and doesn’t even drive a Ferrari road car to work, preferring to use a Fiat helicopter.
“It got me thinking. Who is Lewis now? The driver? Or a superstar?
“All I know is that he’ll have a hard time beating his teammate Charles Leclerc, who speaks Italian, knows the team, doesn’t spend too much time on photo ops and is considered by many to be the fastest driver thanks to the one-lap shootout. “Maybe Lewis knows.
“And probably he signed a contract with Ferrari for another reason -he knew he had given his peak now, and he did not want to retire, traveling for a motor sports jewelry I never do it. “
