Formula 1 2024: Former world champion Alan Jones questions Lewis Hamilton’s team switch

Former F1 champion Alan Jones has suggested Lewis Hamilton’s best is behind him as he prepares for his final tilt at Albert Park .

Former world champion Alan Jones has questioned Ferrari’s move to recruit Lewis Hamilton and suggested the seven-time champion’s best racing was behind him as the British star gets set for his final appearance at Albert Park for Mercedes.

Hamilton sent shock waves through Formula 1 early last month when he announced he was quitting Mercedes to join rivals Ferrari from 2025 in a bombshell switch.

The 39-year-old has signed with the Scuderia on a “multi-year contract” and could be set to make his debut in red at the Australian Grand Prix next year with Albert Park tipped to open the 2025 Formula 1 season.

Hamilton won six of his seven F1 world titles at Mercedes, but has not won a race since the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

The last of his world championship wins was in 2020 with Max Verstappen claiming three consecutive titles since then.

While some commentators have predicted the move could re-energise Hamilton for the final phase of his career, Jones questioned whether Hamilton was the right driver to try to return Ferrari to the top.

The F1 glamour team is still searching for its first world drivers’ championship since Kimi Raikkonen won in 2007.

“I don’t know whether (Hamilton) going to Ferrari is going to be the end all and be all of what Ferrari needs,” Jones said.

Carlos Sainz will make room for Hamilton next season. Picture: Getty Images

“OK, it was good because when he signed for Ferrari their share price just went up by about $20 billion or something.

“But at the end of the day, Lewis has really got to start to pull his finger out a little bit quite frankly. George Russell is now starting to give him a bit of a hiding now most times and the more that goes on, the more that will play on him.

“Once again the more fashion shows that he goes to and the more that he sprouts around the place, that is not going to help him either.

“I really don’t think it was (the right move for Ferrari) to be honest. In terms of increasing their share price, yes.

“But I just don’t think he is going to be the (answer).”

Hamilton has finished seventh and ninth in the opening two races of the season at Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. His Mercedes teammate George Russell finished ahead of him on both occasions (fifth and sixth).

The Briton sits ninth in the F1 driver standings leading into this week’s Australian Grand Prix with Russell sitting fourth.

Asked if he felt Hamilton’s best racing could be behind him, Jones said: “I think so, yes.”

Will Hamilton’s Ferarri move work? Picture: Getty Images

But former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner felt Hamilton’s move was a positive one.

“I think first of all it is good for Formula 1,” Steiner said.

“I understand Lewis completely, he is 11 years at the same team, achieved a lot with the team, has a good relationship with the team and I think the last chapter of his driving career he wants to do something different.

“He wants to try to get the championship back to Ferrari. He gets on very well with (Ferrari team principal) Fred Vasseur, Lewis came up in his junior years and junior formulas with Fred so they have got a good relationship and I think it’s something both of them want to achieve to bring the title back to Marinello.

While Hamilton holds seven F1 titles, he has not won a race since 2021. Picture: AFP

“I think it’s nice to see that Lewis is still up for it and not just driving his last years in Formula 1 just to get the money.”

Hamilton will replace Carlos Sainz at Ferrari, teaming with Monegasque Charles Leclerc.

Steiner said “never say never” when asked if he felt Hamilton could deliver a drivers’ world championship for Ferrari.

“It’s difficult because there are quite a lot of good teams out there and it isn’t an easy task,” Steiner said.

“But he has won seven championships, we know he can do it if he gets the right equipment.”