Ex-F1 Driver: Hamilton's Struggles Stem from 2021 Abu Dhabi Shock, Not Age

The Big Picture

Former Formula 1 driver Robert Doornbos argues that Lewis Hamilton's current struggles with Ferrari are not due to his age, but rather a profound mental impact stemming from the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Why It Matters

Hamilton is visibly struggling with his form at Ferrari. Understanding the root cause of his performance dip is crucial for both the driver's comeback and the team's strategic direction.

The Details

• Lost Identity: Doornbos, speaking with Motorsport.com, suggests that Hamilton "almost lost his identity" after the events of 2021.
• Abu Dhabi 2021 Impact: The controversial decision by race director Michael Masi to restart the race for a single lap effectively snatched away Hamilton's seemingly assured eighth World Championship title.
• Mental, Not Age: Despite Hamilton being nearly 40, Doornbos dismisses age as the primary factor, stating, "It cannot be that he suddenly has no talent anymore. That makes no sense." He emphasizes that Hamilton is "mentally no longer the driver who dominated Formula 1 for years."

What's Next

• Ferrari's Role: Doornbos believes Ferrari must prioritize Hamilton's mental rehabilitation.
• Familiar Faces: One potential approach suggested is to bring back familiar faces or engineers from Hamilton's successful Mercedes era to help him regain confidence. Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari's team principal, has experience with Hamilton from his Mercedes observations.
• Elite Examples: Doornbos points to other top athletes like Cristiano Ronaldo, LeBron James, and Fernando Alonso, who continue to perform at world-class levels well past 40, reinforcing that age alone isn't the barrier.

Ultimately, Hamilton needs to process and overcome the shock of Abu Dhabi 2021 to reclaim his peak performance.