Is age just a number for Hamilton in 2025? Jordan and Coulthard disagree.
Having been somewhat outpaced by George Russell in terms of pure performance this year, will Lewis Hamilton rediscover his full fighting spirit next year when he teams up with Charles Leclerc at Ferrari?
Is there, moreover, a lack of motivation at Mercedes F1 this year? This is the observation made by Eddie Jordan for the Formula for Success podcast. According to the former team principal, “Lewis’s mojo was in full swing at Mercedes F1, but he needed a new home.”
“Often, when the time, pressure, and stress on people are so intense, one needs to find a different set of parameters to motivate oneself—and I think that’s why Lewis went to Ferrari,” he adds.
“Honestly, I don’t believe it’s a matter of contracts or money. I think he would like to see his career end at Ferrari because it’s a magical place to go. And he plans to move to Italy, which I can understand. He intends to learn the language fluently, and that’s very important because if you don’t, you won’t be as immersed in the Ferrari environment.”
For Lewis Hamilton to win an 8th championship title, it will require, on one hand, that the Ferrari is competitive enough, and on the other, that the Briton beats his teammate Charles Leclerc. What does Eddie Jordan think?
“Can he win a world championship in the future? I think Ferrari is very strong. We are all very impressed by Fred Vasseur because Fred has brought a magical calm to the team.”
“At 39… Lewis, when he dons the red tunic, it will be like when he left McLaren to join Mercedes, it was like fireworks. I think Lewis will be a serious contender for the world championship title, and I promise you he’ll have his chance next year, before 2026. Anything can happen.”
Jordan particularly emphasises how Hamilton has shown increased motivation recently.
“Lewis, I think at the start of the year, was undoubtedly focused on his move to Ferrari, on recruiting the right people, and on ensuring Fred Vasseur was on board. Ferrari will be a great team next year, and they will be excited to see the resurgence of Lewis, because you mustn’t tell Ferrari, ‘Look at what we’re doing at Mercedes, don’t worry about that, we can beat George, we can beat everyone, we are going to be powerful.'”
“And the Mercedes team will be strong in the future, but Ferrari is going to be incredibly strong. I think Lewis is back in his element. And he’s now eyeing a fight for the championship next year. And who can say he is wrong.”
Regarding the upcoming duel between Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, David Coulthard, the former McLaren F1 and Red Bull driver, would be less optimistic for Lewis. After all, Charles Leclerc will be at the peak of his career and is well-acquainted with the Maranello environment… And importantly, Lewis is no longer on an upward trajectory at his age.
“I’ve said that, personally, Charles, at 27, is one of the fastest guys. He is going to be a big challenge for Lewis. You know, he’s going to be 40 years old. I’m not questioning Lewis’s genius, but it’s just the natural curve of someone’s career.”
“I have to believe that Lewis is at a point where he has all the experience, but I can’t believe he’s getting faster at this age. And I know that will upset Lewis’s fans, but obviously, I’d be thrilled to see him defy age, and it’s going to be a tight battle between him and Charles.”
For Jordan, Max Verstappen surpasses Senna and Schumacher
Eddie Jordan has praised Lewis Hamilton—but he has offered even higher praise for Max Verstappen.
According to Jordan, given equal machinery, the Dutchman would outpace Ayrton Senna or Michael Schumacher… It is noteworthy that Jordan has worked with both Senna and Schumacher during his career as a manager, from junior formulas to F1.
“I truly believe that if you could have [Ayrton] Senna, [Michael] Schumacher, and Max [Verstappen] in the same cars, in the same race, at any given time, I think Max would come out on top.”
“He is that good. He is incredibly solid. He has been racing for a very long time.”
“I had the fortune in 1982 to find a guy called Da Silva—I got him to do his first lap at Silverstone in a Formula 3 car… actually… we went to Macau in 1983, and this guy, this Da Silva, won the race, and he changed his name to Senna. So yes, I had Senna in the car. Yes, I had Michael Schumacher in a car as well.”
“Regarding Max Verstappen, remember it’s not just about his father. But his mother (Sophie Kumpen) was actually simply the best in karting… she was absolutely an institution. She was incredible. So it’s been in his blood from day one.”
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Hamilton’s 2025 Title Chase: Age a Factor for F1 Ace? Hamilton’s 2025 Title Chase: Age a Factor for F1 Ace?
