F1 News
Hamilton distracted during first half of the season? 'Without any doubt'
Lewis Hamilton's 2024 season has shifted into gear after his superb British Grand Prix victory, taking ten races to earn his first podium of the season, a third place at the Spanish Grand Prix. But after his Silverstone victory, another third place at the Hungarian Grand Prix thanks to a fantastic drive and another victory at the Belgian Grand Prix, after his teammate George Russell was disqualified from the race, reignited his final season with Mercedes. But was the 39-year-old distracted during the first three races. Both David Coulthard and Eddie Jordan think so.
Hamilton's mind has 'got to be' on Ferrari
Of course, the biggest news that hit the world of F1 before the 2024 season got underway was that Hamilton was moving from Mercedes to Ferrari for the 2025 season, leaving the German team he had joined in 2013, one of the greatest team and driver combinations F1 has ever seen. It was a driver change that shocked the paddock, with many surprised that the move occurred. But did Hamilton have one eye on the 2025 season with the Scuderia already?
Speaking on the Formula For Success Podcast, both Coulthard and Jordan think so, which was the biggest contributor to Hamilton's slow start to the season. "One part of his mind will be on Ferrari. It's got to be," said Coulthard, the former Red Bull and McLaren driver. "Instead of him counting down the season and getting the best he can out of the season, and arguably, if Mercedes keep going as they are, they could bring themselves back into challenging for both championships."
But for the 2025 season, Ferrari have also brought in a lot of people from Mercedes, people that Hamilton has recruited for the next season in F1, and people who he enjoys working with. Jordan says that was also a huge factor as to why the 39-year-old started the season poorly.
"Lewis, I think, at the beginning of the year, he was, without any doubt, pretty much focused on joining Ferrari," said the former F1 team principal Jordan. "He was focused on getting the right people and making sure that he had Fred Vasseur on board. They are going to be a big team next year, and they will be overjoyed to see the re-emergence of Lewis.
"Ferrari are going to be incredibly strong, because I think Lewis is right back on his game, and he is now eyeing up a championship fight for next year. And who is to say he is wrong?", concluded Jordan.