FIA Formula E veteran Lucas Di Grassi has said that he “would never have chosen” Lewis Hamilton for a Formula 1 seat with Ferrari had the decision been his.
The Brazilian, who has competed in the all-electric series since its inception in 2014, believes the seven-time champion, who raced against di Grassi in Formula 3 as well as his GP2 title-winning year in 2006, is unable to compete at a high level anymore.
Speaking to motorsport.com Brazil, di Grassi says another disadvantage is the cost that Hamilton has brought to the prancing horse.
“I would never hire Hamilton for Ferrari, if I were with Ferrari,” he said.
“First, he is expensive, and I don’t think he is still in his prime. I would not hire Hamilton, but instead choose another driver who will reach his peak within Ferrari at the right time.
Di Grassi believes that Hamilton’s experience brings other attributes, but will not sufficiently aid the team to reach its former heights.
“[He] can get around this [his supposed lack of pace] with experience, strategy, talking to the team and improving the team, improving the set-up, and understanding the car better.
“I don’t think it’s a question of the driver at Ferrari; it’s much more a question of getting the car right. They have shown that now: when they got the car right, they were fighting for the Constructors’ title.”
“I simply think that the maximum [he] will impact [in the short term] is from the point of view of marketing, but I think, from the point of view of the results, no.”
Lewis Hamilton seeking eighth title with Ferrari
Hamilton is leaving Mercedes after 12 years of service with the team, winning six of his seven Drivers’ titles to join up with Charles Leclerc at Maranello.
The 39-year-old, who will turn 40 by the time of his first race in scarlet red, is looking to become F1’s record title winner.
After tying with Michael Schumacher’s record of seven in 2020, Hamilton narrowly lost the 2021 title in dramatic and controversial circumstances to Max Verstappen in the final race in Abu Dhabi.
The intervening years have been difficult for Hamilton, going almost three years without a Grand Prix victory, breaking his drought with an emotional win on home soil at Silverstone in July.
The move to Italy will be one that Hamilton hopes to be the tonic to take him back to the front of the grid.
Di Grassi, who competed in F1 for Virgin Racing in 2010, won the first-ever E-Prix in Beijing in 2014, taking the title in Season 3, having narrowly missed out in Seasons 1 and 2.
He also jointly holds the record for most wins in FE, with 13.
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