‘I think he’s lost his edge’ fears F1 legend Martin Brundle after watching Lewis Hamilton’s first drive for Ferrari
FORMULA ONE icon Martin Brundle believes Lewis Hamilton’s best days are behind him – but could still win an eighth title.
Seven-time world champion Hamilton is racing for Ferrari in the upcoming 2025 season.
The 40-year-old completed his first test laps for his new team on Wednesday.
It came almost a year after Hamilton shocked the world of F1 by declaring he was leaving Mercedes for the Italian giants.
Hamilton’s lap times were released on Thursday as he gets to grips with the new Ferrari.
But Brundle – who spent over a decade in F1 between 1984 and 1996 – fears Hamilton has lost some of the verve that made him a fearless champion.
Brundle told Sky Sports: “Do I think the best of Lewis Hamilton is ahead or behind him? I think it’s behind him.
“I think he’s lost the edge, sometimes he gets in scuffles he used to emerge out in front of.”
Hamilton’s practice lap times were slower than teammate Charles Leclerc.
They also lagged behind the pace set by Ferrari legend Michael Schumacher during his first laps with the team.
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Despite the slow start, Brundle is confident Hamilton will be “re-energised” by the new surroundings.
He continued: “I think 96/97 per cent of Lewis Hamilton in a winning car is still good enough.
“His energy and his enthusiasm will be re-energised by the whole experience.
“He will not be overwhelmed by driving a Ferrari, as so many drivers have been.”
And despite Leclerc showing his speed in practice, Brundle believes Lewis is still in contention of winning a historic 8th title.
He continued: “This is only Hamilton’s third team in Formula 1, and he will want to go there and show that, despite just turning 40, he’s not over the hill like some people were saying last year.
“He will want to show he has made the right decision again. He will go there full of energy.
“Lewis will have to face that, and the fact Leclerc is incredibly fast.
“But I have no doubt that if Ferrari have a race-winning car or a championship-winning car, then Lewis can win races and even the championship.”