Ferrari told to cut their losses with Lewis Hamilton
Ailsa Cowen
Ferrari have been urged to back out of their deal signing Lewis Hamilton as he's 'f*****' without 100 per cent self-belief.
Former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan made the shock claims having been concerned by recent comments by Hamilton on his own ability.
Lewis Hamilton will compete in his final race for Mercedes this weekend
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Lewis Hamilton will compete in his final race for Mercedes this weekendCredit: Getty
This weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix marks Lewis Hamilton’s final race as a Mercedes driver.
He has won six of his seven world titles with the team since joining in 2013.
Despite an exciting new chapter ahead, the Mercedes farewell tour has dropped to new lows.
One-lap performance has been a source of great frustration for Hamlition in F1 2024 with teammate George Russell half a second up the road in Qatar.
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Race day in Qatar saw Hamilton’s woes worsen as he picked up separate penalties for a jump start and speeding in the pit lane.
He also picked up a puncture and was heard asking Mercedes over the team radio to retire the car.
After the Sprint, Hamilton said: “I’m just slow, same every weekend. Car felt relatively decent, no issues, and not much more to say.”
And when it was put to Hamilton by the interviewer, 'we know this isn’t a ‘you’ thing', Hamilton, with a smile, responded: “Who knows? I’m definitely not fast anymore.”
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Those comments are of great concern to Jordan, who reflected on how encouraging people to 'believe' is a major part of his philosophy to motivate.
And looking at the situation with Hamilton, he urged Ferrari to cut their losses.
Jordan isn't convinced by Hamilton's move
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Jordan isn't convinced by Hamilton's move
“If you don’t believe 100 per cent, you’re f*****. Do you understand that?” Jordan said on the Formula For Success podcast, as quoted by Planet F1.
“Because belief, 99.9 per cent, means that there is that tiny, little, little thing in there knocking on your head that gives you the things that maybe, ‘Oh, I don’t have that confidence. I don’t have the ability'.
“And at the moment what I heard from Lewis, 'I’m not fast enough anymore', they were the words, I think.
“Honestly, if I was Ferrari, I would say close the book, find the way out. That’s it.”
Jordan also compared Hamilton’s situation to that of Sergio Perez at Red Bull, with Abu Dhabi likely to be the Mexican’s final race with the team.
“He’s not performing, and I don’t care whether the car is good, bad or indifferent,” Jordan added in reference to Hamilton.
Russell will no longer be Hamilton's teammate soon
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Russell will no longer be Hamilton's teammate soonCredit: Getty
“His teammate, just like Max is doing to Perez, he’s completely dominating him.”
Jordan also said that it’s time for Hamilton to depart and focus on other things outside of F1.
“I think also, if it’s a little message to you, Lewis, if you’re out there, always remember in life, you’ve got your music, you’ve got your fashion, you’ve got all sorts of other things,” Jordan continued.
“You are, in most people’s view, the greatest driver of all time. Please remember what I’m going to say to you.
“Always, always think about the best exit. And this is the time to take the money off the table. Go.
“Fact is, Lewis, you are an amazing ambassador. We absolutely adore you, but don’t put yourself in a position where we think less of you because you’re marking time out at Ferrari. That’s all I will say.”
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However, Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur is not concerned by what he heard from the seven-time World Champion in Qatar.
His evidence was Las Vegas, where Hamilton went from P10 on the grid to runner-up at the chequered flag.
Asked by the media if he is worried by what Hamilton said in Qatar, Vasseur replied: “Not at all.
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“Have a look at the 50 laps that he did in Vegas.
“Starting P10, finishing on the gearbox of Russell, I’m not worried at all.”
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