8 months ago
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LEWIS HAMILTON has been brutally told he is “past his prime” by former F1 driver Michael Bleekemolen.
At 74 years old the Dutchman still competes in the NASCAR Whelan Euro Series.
SplashHamilton has endured a miserable start to his final season as a Mercedes driver currently in P9 going into the Chinese Grand Prix.
The 39-year-old’s rocky start to the season has sparked doubts about his upcoming transfer to Ferrari.
Especially with Carlos Sainz‘s impressive performances including two third-place finishes and a Grand Prix win in just three races.
And Bleekemolen expressed doubt about the mentality of the seven-time world champion and does not think he will be able to compete for a World Championship with Ferrari.
Giving his verdict on Hamilton’s 2024 season to RacingNews365, Bleekemolen said: “It’s all coming together just a little bit badly. I think he’s had his best time a bit.
“It’s not right between his ears either. I don’t see much good in him anymore.”
Asked if the move to Ferrari will help Hamilton return to the podium Bleekemolen continued: “Maybe he’ll end up in the top two, three again, that could just happen.
“It’s not going to be easy, but it would be nice. I just don’t think it’s going to happen.”
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The veteran racer ruled out any hopes of an eighth World Championship for Hamilton saying “no” when asked if the British driver will move ahead of Michael Schumacher in the record books.
Bleekemolen who made one Grand Prix start for ATS Racing in 1978 struggled to predict what life would be like when Hamilton made a move to Ferrari.
The seven-time World Champ is set to join forces with Charles Leclerc at Maranello, one of the top qualifiers in recent F1 history and a five-time Grand Prix winner.
He added: “Who will be number one? You often see over the course of a few races.
“At the moment, Sainz is also sort of number one. It’s hard to estimate, but everyone fights for themselves in the end.
“It’s the same within such a team. And they really do understand, that when you start winning races or consistently finish on the podium.
“You always have an advantage over someone who only finishes fourth, fifth, sixth.”
Inside track on Hamilton's life
LEWIS HAMILTON has driven his way into pole position as Formula One's most prolific winner.
The British speedster lives life in the fast lane both on and off the track, with a string of high-profile romances and jet-set lifestyle.
Hamilton made his name at McLaren and Mercedes but stunned the racing world by signing a £100million deal to join Ferrari for next season.
His exploits have seen him rub shoulders with Hollywood icon Brad Pitt but Lew snubbed the chance to feature in Top Gun 2.
And fans can follow his fortunes on the latest season of Netflix’s smash hit Drive To Survive.
Hamilton’s talent saw him go from humble origins in Stevenage to boasting an £11m car collection.
He joined celeb dating app Raya after splitting from Brazilian beauty Juliana Nalu.
And his exes are said to include Rita Ora, Rihanna and Nicole Scherzinger.
Hamilton was embroiled in a bitter feud with Nico Rosberg but the pair buried the hatchet to sport £35k watches they were given for FREE.
He also shared high-profile battles with Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel.
But his most shocking showdown saw Max Verstappen handed the World Championship over him by a controversial safety car decision.
The Brit is chasing a record eighth world title – the first of which came in 2008 and has seen Felipe Masa sue F1 for £62m after a crash saw him miss out.
Check out all our Lewis Hamilton articles here.
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