Ex-F1 Racer Expresses 'Fear' for Lewis Hamilton's Legacy at Ferrari

Former F1 driver David Brabham believes Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari and his current struggles risk 'twisting and tainting' his illustrious Formula 1 legacy. Brabham suggests Hamilton might have continued his career for too long, potentially overshadowing his past achievements with an underwhelming conclusion.

Why it matters:

Lewis Hamilton, statistically F1's most successful driver, is in a critical phase of his career. His highly anticipated move to Ferrari was seen as a final push for an unprecedented eighth world title, but current performance issues raise questions about how his later career will be perceived, especially after a period of dominance.

The details:

• Legacy Concerns: David Brabham, a former F1 driver and Le Mans winner, explicitly stated his 'fear' that Hamilton's final seasons might overshadow his incredible seven World Championships.
• Timing of Retirement: Brabham argued that Hamilton 'probably should have retired a couple of years ago and gone out on a real high,' before his recent struggles post-2021.
• Ferrari Challenge: While acknowledging Hamilton's ambition to make Ferrari world champions again, Brabham expressed doubts about the success of this 'challenging situation.'
• Current Performance: Hamilton is still seeking his first podium with Ferrari. Despite a recent recovery in pace against teammate Charles Leclerc after a difficult first half of the 2024 season, the team's overall performance remains a concern.
• Race Weekend Struggles: In the recent Baku race, both Hamilton and Leclerc finished disappointingly in eighth and ninth, respectively, after starting further down the grid due to qualifying issues.

Between the lines:

Brabham's comments highlight a common narrative in sports regarding aging legends. The desire to compete and achieve more often clashes with declining performance, sometimes leading to a less glorious exit than fans or the athletes themselves might hope for. For Hamilton, whose career has been defined by breaking records and pushing boundaries, an underwhelming end could indeed alter the perception of his overall journey.

What's next:

Hamilton remains committed to Ferrari, hoping to turn their fortunes around. His focus, and that of the team, is now largely on the 2025 car, as significant upgrades for the current season are not anticipated. The ability to 'pull it off' at Ferrari and achieve success in the coming seasons will be crucial in defining the final chapter of his extraordinary career.