Lewis Hamilton, the British driver for Mercedes AMG F1 W14, clinched third place in the Formula 1 World Championship at the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal on June 18, 2023.
Nigel Mansell, the former Formula 1 World Champion in 1992, believes that age will not hinder Lewis Hamilton’s pursuit of an eighth title with Ferrari in 2025 and beyond. Despite Hamilton turning 40 by the time he starts with Ferrari, Mansell, who won his championship at the age of 39, emphasizes that motivation is more crucial than age when it comes to chasing F1 glory. Mansell dismisses claims that Hamilton is too old and expresses his excitement for the years ahead, stating, “if he’s motivated, he’s got several, if not a lot more years left.”
Hamilton’s initial reluctance to race at 40, as expressed in a 2021 interview with Italian news outlet Corriere della Sera, has now changed. The British driver is undoubtedly driven by his goal of securing an eighth world title. His performance in 2023, where he outperformed his teammate George Russell in the Drivers’ standings with 234 points to 175 and six podium finishes to two, demonstrates that age is not a limiting factor.
Mansell also points to Fernando Alonso’s resurgence at Aston Martin at the age of 42 as evidence that age should not be a barrier in F1. He anticipates an exciting battle between Hamilton, Max Verstappen, and Ferrari in the upcoming seasons, emphasizing the competitiveness of the sport.
In 2025, Hamilton will make history as the first Englishman to drive for Ferrari since Mansell’s tenure with the team in 1989. Mansell himself won the opening race of the 1989 season, endearing himself to the Tifosi (Ferrari fans) and earning the nickname ‘Il Leone’ (The Lion) for his spirited performances. Mansell believes that Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is a dream come true for the British driver and will undoubtedly be a significant milestone in his career.