F1 pundit makes 'pressure' admission over Hamilton move

All of 2023's F1 drivers lineup for a photo at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix — Photo: © IMAGO

F1 News & Gossip

F1 pundit makes 'pressure' admission over Hamilton move

Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari has thrown the driver market into chaos

Tyler Rowlinson

Monday 19 February 2024 05:57

Sky Sports F1 pundit Simon Lazenby has claimed that Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari will put a number of drivers in the sport under pressure.

Hamilton's impending switch has completely shaken up the driver market, with a huge seat - which was expected to be occupied - now up for grabs, and a number of contracts coming to an end.

The Brit will replace Carlos Sainz from next year, meaning the Spaniard will race for the Italian team in 2024 knowing that he does not have a seat confirmed for 2025.

Lewis Hamilton will join Ferrari from Mercedes in 2025

The Brit will replace Carlos Sainz next year

Toto Wolff has backed George Russell to be the team's lead driver

Lazenby lists drivers under pressure

Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate George Russell has been backed by team boss Toto Wolff to be the team’s new lead driver, but the 26-year-old was beaten comprehensively by the seven-time champion last season.

Charles Leclerc, Hamilton’s soon-to-be team-mate, recently signed a new long-term deal with Ferrari and is considered to be their star driver.

But while speaking on the Sky F1 podcast, Lazenby believes that the Monegasque driver and several others will be put under pressure to perform in the wake of Hamilton’s transfer.

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“It caught us all of guard,” he said. “And already it’s started to ask questions of what might happen to those and the pressure it puts on, A, Charles Leclerc, because if he’s the de facto leader and has been the golden boy at Ferrari for a number of years, all of a sudden you’ve now got this spectre of Lewis about to arrive.

“Can Carlos [Sainz] flip this on its head? Put pressure early on Charles Leclerc, outshine him and then put himself in that shop window for others. I wonder if he may even consider a move back to Red Bull.

Lewis Hamilton Ferrari Mercedes Carlos Sainz George Russell Toto Wolff