Toni Vilander, who drove for Ferrari for a long time, considers Lewis Hamilton’s age, 39, a risk for the top team’s championship hunt.
F1 star Lewis Hamilton a shock transfer to Ferrari will shake up the driver market of next season’s Formula 1. Until some time ago, as many as 15/20 of the 2024 drivers were without a contract for the following year.
The palette was modified a little already the other week, when Ferrari announced that it had signed a multi-year contract Charles Leclerc and McLaren respectively by Lando Norris with. Both of them are absolute star-level drivers in the series.
However, a large part of the drivers for the 2024 season still do not have a contract for the 2025 season. To Valtteri Bottaswhose three-year contract with Sauber expires this season.
The value of the 34-year-old Bottas in the driver market has been declining for a long time. Although Bottas, who has won ten F1 races in his career, has driven the previous two seasons in a weak team, his own driving performances have also garnered criticism.
Last season, Bottas was often in trouble with his teammate Zhou Guanyun with. However, the Chinese are not considered to be particularly talented.
Sauber is scheduled to become Audi in 2026. The future factory team is seen to have better expectations of success in the future.
Rumor has it that, among other things, experienced drivers have been brought in to be the team’s drivers next year Nico Hülkenberg, Esteban Oconia mixed Carlos Sainz. With Hamilton’s contract, Sainz, who was ousted from Ferrari, may now be strong for Audi.
– If the lines are drawn straight, there should soon be news that Sainz will move to Sauber/Audi. Once it is known that Sainz will not continue with Ferrari, the next thing to become public is where he will continue, a well-known F1 expert Toni Vilander says.
Bottas have a tough situation
Vilander, who has had a long career with Ferrari in various endurance races and is currently a commentator for Viaplay, thinks the setup is bad for Bottas.
Over the past couple of seasons, Bottas’ public image has become significantly more relaxed. Among other things, he has joked on his Instagram account.
Bottas’ motivation has been questioned.
– It’s a pretty tight situation. Some shares improve and others deteriorate. Bottas’ result level must speak for itself this season and the focus must be completely on the track.
According to Vilander, a worrying sign for Bottas is that the Sauber management has not given very flattering comments about the team’s performance in the season that starts in March.
– Sauber’s management had a bad comment at the turn of the year that there are no profit targets for the coming season. Such a comment could have been left out.
– Valtteri definitely has a tight spot. He is fighting to keep his career going after this season. The big fish are on the move, and Valtteri has to handle it.
Hamilton’s age problem?
Hamilton has been driving for Mercedes since the 2013 season, achieving, among other things, six drivers’ world championships. He signed a contract with the team until 2025.
Vilander was disappointed with Hamilton’s most recent contract with Mersu and would have hoped for a giant transfer from a driver accustomed to success.
Kimi Räikkönen it’s been more than 16 years since the previous Ferrari drivers’ world championship. Many believe that with Hamilton’s multi-year contract, the legendary team will return to being a champion team.
However, Vilander reminds us of realism.
– Hamilton is at a certain stage in his career. Age is starting to take its toll. Hamilton will always be remembered for being a super talent and a seven-time world champion. Yes, the years are starting to wear him down too.
“Hard choice”
Hamilton will be 40 years old when his Ferrari contract starts. Vilander considers Hamilton’s age to be a big risk for Ferrari.
– Quite a drastic choice from Ferrari in the sense that we are talking about a multi-year contract. Hamilton is making a point Fernando Alonso (42) like groove. In his forties, he still works there.
– What can he bring to Ferrari? Of course, it’s a tough experience, but drivers don’t design cars. Now we are building a Dream Team that will try to regain the drivers’ championship.
For example The Race according to Mercedes was one of the biggest losers of the transfer. However, Vilander highlights a different angle.
– It could even be a fresh situation for Mercedes. When success starts to wane, changes have to be made.