Formula E driver: 'If I was Ferrari, I would never have chosen Hamilton'
If Brazilian Formula E driver Lucas Di Grassi were the boss at Ferrari, he says he would have never hired Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton has officially driven his last race for Mercedes and is on his way to driver for Ferrari in 2025. However, Di Grassi would not have made the same choice regarding Hamilton's move.
Di Grassi would never have chosen Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton will drive for Ferrari from the 2025 season onward, joining teammate Charles Leclerc and team principal Frédéric Vasseur. Hamilton's move was highly unexpected and made waves in the Formula 1 community. Di Grassi, who drives for Formula E, disagrees with Ferrari's move to hire Hamilton.
"I would never hire Hamilton for Ferrari, if I were with Ferrari. First, he is expensive, and I don't think he is still in his prime. I would not hire Hamilton, but instead choose another driver who will reach his peak within Ferrari at the right time," Di Grassi told Motorsport.com.
Di Grassi believes that Hamilton is past his best days, and that he is not in his best shape in terms of driving, as now Hamilton relies on other qualities instead according to the Brazilian. Di Grassi explains: "[He] can get around this with experience, strategy, talking to the team and improving the team, improving the set-up, and understanding the car better."
"I don't think it's a question of the driver at Ferrari; it's much more a question of getting the car right. They have shown that now: when they got the car right, they were fighting for the constructors' title". He does not think that Hamilton will be able to do that and instead, that the seven-time champion will only help the team with their marketing. "I simply think that the maximum [he] will impact [in the short term] is from the point of view of marketing, but I think, from the point of view of the results, no," the former F1 driver concludes.
This article was written in collaboration with Esteban de Toom.
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Always good to know the thoughts and opinions of a no-mark 40 year old racing driver, note to yourself Luca, compare your career as a 40 year old racing driver to the 40 year old driver you're commenting about !! My opinion for what it's worth, even on his 'downhill slide' Lewis will achieve more than you ever did
I enjoy opinions from retired Drivers that have previously raced in F1 and have been about the Paddock, but who contacted Di Grassi for his opinion on who should drive for Ferrari? It seems a bit bizarre. I can only think the media are looking for anyone who thinks Hamilton is past it just to churn out a story to start a fisty cuffs..... Let's go✊.....?
Well, he is a champion in the Formula E, something for instance Herbert never achieved. So if Herbert is entitled to his colored opinions, why should Luca not be able to do that.
Herbert had retired long before the first Formula E race so wouldn't have competed let alone won it although I think winning Le Mans probably trumps that anyway, but I can see your comment everyone is entitled to an opinion we just don't have to agree
Agree, we don't have to agree with the opinion, but there is no need to make fun of Luca, similar like you corrected someone today about Herbert.
Formula E that'll be the series that gets derided on here when it does get a mention. Herbert's been around F1 for decades in various different roles so I would take his opinion over someone who's had 1 season in F1..... In order to have an opinion in the media it would carry more weight if it came from someone who has experience of that environment..... But the media will be looking for anyone to s*** on Lewis, maybe Lewis clipped his rear wheel so he's still bitter.... : )
Clipping a rear wheel is a Lewis trade mark, so who knows. Or Luca is some one who's opinion you don't like, hence you try to diminish what he has achieved.
Well, he achieved more then for instance David Croft, Ted Kravitz, or for instance Bernie Collins, so I don't realy understand why you are so negative towards him.
"make fun of his achievements" save your faux outrage...... Everyone has an opinion, the point was does his achievements warrant an article of who Ferrari should or shouldn't hire. In my opinion because it was Ferrari making a mistake with Lewis it got picked up, I think if it was the opposite nothing would have been said. I look forward to you quoting Di Grassi from now on with his musings on F1.
I brought Herbert in because he also voiced his opinion. And Herr Flick rightfully corrected someone that made fun of Herbert. You might disagree with the opinion of Luca, but the way you make fun of his achievements says more about you then Luca. You attacked the messengef insteax of the message.
I only mentioned the clipping in jest. Lewis has had over 350 races and has clipped an RB 3 times? hardly a trademark..... It's nothing to do with liking his comment or not but as Herr said he hasn't achieved anything to note in F1 to have such a view to carry any weight in the media. Same can be said as to why you brought Herbert into it?
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