F1 icon Eddie Jordan has encouraged Lewis Hamilton to leave Mercedes and join title rivals Ferrari.
Like many, the Irishman has witnessed Mercedes’ struggles since the beginning of last season, which have continued into the start of the new campaign. The Silver Arrows have failed to register a podium finish during the first two races of the 2023 season in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, and have even been surpassed by Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin.
With the Brackley-based outfit’s woes set to continue, Jordan has suggested the sport’s most decorated driver take his talents over to the Prancing Horse and fight for a title there. “Formula 1 needs Lewis Hamilton in a Ferrari and Ferrari needs Lewis Hamilton,” the 74-year-old told OLBG.
“Hamilton should look to go to another Championship-winning team, but the drama is who is going to move aside? Hamilton is a McLaren man, but I can't see him going back there because of the position they're in. The only other places I see Hamilton going is Ferrari or staying at Mercedes.
“At the moment, there's no contract signed and Toto Wolff said if he was Hamilton he would consider leaving. What would I be thinking if I was Hamilton, am I really loved here? What is actually happening at Mercedes? I don't know Wolff's point of view on the situation but I believe when he says he wants Hamilton to stay. But Mercedes is not good enough for Hamilton.”
Hamilton has maintained his desire to stay with Mercedes, where has won six of his seven world championships. However, his contract is set to expire at the end of the season and the Brit is yet to sign a new deal.
With speculation regarding his future continuing to rise, Jordan would like to not only see Hamilton move to Ferrari, but make a mouthwatering swap with Charles Leclerc, who could make the switch to Mercedes.
“Now that would be interesting. Charles Leclerc is very much a Mercedes type of driver, and to see Leclerc and George Russell fight it out would be great. That could be a deal in heaven," Jordan added. "I know Leclerc quite well as a person and he's magnificent, but so is Hamilton, so who is to say it would be any different.
"I'm sure everyone in F1 would love to see a swap between Hamilton and Leclerc, that would be mouth-watering. When I dream of Hamilton going to Ferrari, it is just a thought because he has won seven world championship titles with Mercedes so he might want to stay.
"Then again, all the great drivers would feel the pull of a great team like Ferrari, that's where I think Hamilton should end up.”
Hamilton currently sits fifth in the drivers standings and will head to Australia next weekend in search of securing Mercedes’ first podium finish of the season.
