Eddie Jordan thinks age is starting to play tricks on Lewis Hamilton. He thinks that even if Hamilton and Verstappen competed against each other with the same material, the Dutchman would currently have the upper hand.
In the past, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton fought a lot of tricks on the track and that was often a matter of discussion among the fans. Especially during the 2021 season, there was almost weekly bumblebee between the two ruffs with the instant legendary season finale in Abu Dhabi as the highlight.
Since 2022, with the introduction of the new technical regulations and the return of the ground effect, Mercedes has missed the ball and Hamilton and Verstappen no longer meet on track as often.
On the Formula for Success podcast, David Coulthard asked Eddie Jordan if he thought Lewis Hamilton had gotten too old to compete against Max Verstappen, and the former team owner answered yes.
I think it’s over, said Jordan. I don’t think it’s over, I think he will still win races but then some things have to fall into place for him.
I think Lewis has progressed in the last few races, he is very strong and I am very impressed with what he is doing.
But Max is at that point, you know, he’s at that ideal point in terms of age, experience, confidence, knowledge, the people he works with on the team, he’s part of a safe and solid structure. I think in the same car, at this very moment with the same age, it’s Max who will make it.
Although Coulthard describes Hamilton as a leading figure in Formula 1, he ultimately agrees with Jordan’s view.
I think Lewis still has it and I think they’re both exceptional, said Coulthard. They’re not just great riders, they’re exceptional.
If they were driving for the same team, which will never happen, because I think there will be a collision. It would be a kind of Prost-Senna.
“Look, I have to say that Max, as you say, he’s in that sweet spot, at 25 years old, to have done what he’s done in his time in F1, he has to be at an advantage.
“What happens in life, and even if you’re very successful, you get a lot of life experience, don’t you? When you’re younger you don’t know what you don’t know, so don’t worry about what you don’t know.”
“As you get older you gain more experience and you can make better decisions, but all that beautiful baggage that Lewis carries with him starts to fill your mind.”
“So he seems like a busy guy outside the track with all his other passions. And as we know Max is very focused off track on his simulator and his e-gaming team.”
“I think he’s still totally into all things driving.”