Piero Ferrari dismisses concerns over Lewis Hamilton ahead of debut year with Maranello team
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Lewis Hamilton's highly anticipated Ferrari tenure encountered an early hiccup when he crashed during a private test in Barcelona. However, Ferrari vice chairman Piero Ferrari has dismissed any concerns surrounding the Briton's readiness for the challenge ahead.
Hamilton's switch from Mercedes to Ferrari marks the beginning of a new chapter in his illustrious career. The move fulfills a long-standing ambition to don the iconic red, making Ferrari just the third team he has raced for in Formula 1. For the first time, the seven-time world champion will also compete with a Ferrari power unit.
To help Hamilton adapt to his new surroundings, Ferrari arranged multiple test sessions, including runs in the 2023 SF-23 at the Fiorano circuit and the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona. However, his time on track at the Spanish Grand Prix venue ended abruptly when he crashed at 124 mph, bringing an early halt to the session.
Piero Ferrari has 'zero concerns' about Hamilton's age affecting his performance
Ferrari engineers believe a bump in the track was the likely cause of Hamilton's accident at Turn 12, which resulted in significant front-end damage to the SF-23. The crash also meant that teammate Charles Leclerc was unable to complete his scheduled laps.
The Scuderia will hope that Lewis Hamilton's Barcelona incident was merely a byproduct of pushing the car to its limits in a controlled, private setting. However, questions remain as to whether the 40-year-old's age could present a greater challenge as he embarks on his Ferrari journey.
Felipe Massa has voiced concerns that Hamilton's age could make his transition more demanding, particularly in terms of maintaining peak physical condition. Historically, very few drivers have won races beyond their 40th birthday—only nine in total—with Nigel Mansell being the last to do so in 1994.
Despite this, Ferrari vice chairman Piero Ferrari, son of the legendary Enzo Ferrari, has dismissed any notion that Hamilton's age might be an issue. He insists that the Briton's physical and mental sharpness remain at an elite level, ensuring he is more than capable of excelling with the Maranello-based team.
Ferrari told Autosprint that while it is true Lewis Hamilton is older, he remains in excellent physical and mental shape. They expressed no concerns about his age, believing it would not be an issue. According to Ferrari, Hamilton embraced the challenge with great enthusiasm, demonstrating confidence in his abilities.
Hamilton Poised to Join Elite Company Among F1's Oldest Race Winners
Although Piero Ferrari has dismissed concerns over Lewis Hamilton's age, the Briton is set to climb even higher in the rankings of Formula 1's oldest Grand Prix winners. Currently the 12th-oldest driver to secure a race victory, Lewis Hamilton will move into the top 10 if he stands on the top step of the podium again. With continued success, he could even break into the top seven by 2026.
Should his Ferrari switch yield the results he hopes for, Hamilton has the opportunity to achieve a historic milestone. He could become the first driver to win a Formula 1 championship after turning 40 since Jack Brabham's triumph in 1966. Additionally, if he claims a title with Ferrari, he would follow in the footsteps of Juan Manuel Fangio, who became the last driver to win a championship with the Scuderia after turning 40 when he secured his fourth of five crowns.
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