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'As a Ferrari team boss I would have got Hamilton, but there's also doubts'
Ferrari has opted for Lewis Hamilton in 2025 in favour of Carlos Sainz, a decision that has been met with some confusion. Why replace a fine-performing Sainz for a driver who is already 40 at the start of the season? Former driver Felipe Massa does understand the choice made by team principal Frederic Vasseur and Ferrari, although he does agree that age could come into play.
"If you asked me as Ferrari team boss if I would hire the driver, Hamilton, I would without a doubt," Massa told Brazilian newspaper Estadão. "In terms of talent, he is one of the best drivers Formula 1 has ever seen. But if you factor in his age, I might have my doubts about that."
According to the Brazilian, who himself raced for Ferrari from 2006 to 2013, age plays a role in Formula 1, just as it does in other sports: "You should see to understand if that affects him or not. I know from my own experience that you have to train more as you get older, and also that recovery takes longer. Age has been a negative factor with many drivers, just look at what happened with Schumacher at Mercedes."
It has to be taken into account that Schumacher had taken a three-year sabbatical before that after he left Ferrari in 2006. In those seasons, Formula 1 had changed quite a lot, including its tyres. For Hamilton, it is just a switch to another team, which will far less of a hassle.
A shake up in Formula 1
There will be several experienced drivers that will not be seen back in Formula 1 in 2025. Kevin Magnussen, Sergio Perez and Daniel Ricciardo are examples of drivers who have already passed 30 and saw their seats go to an emerging talent. However, Hamilton will not be the oldest driver on the grid next year. That is still Fernando Alonso at 43.
This article was created in collaboration with Corwin Kunst
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