Lewis Hamilton’s decision to depart Mercedes and join Ferrari after the 2024 Formula 1 season came as no surprise to Eddie Jordan, the former F1 team owner.
Jordan rebuffed David Coulthard’s assertion that Hamilton’s move to the Scuderia was “unbelievable,” suggesting instead that it was merely a matter of time.
Ferrari announced last Thursday that the 39-year-old Hamilton would replace Carlos Sainz, partnering with Charles Leclerc from 2025 onwards.
Hamilton’s multi-year contract with Ferrari was sealed after he invoked a release clause in his Mercedes agreement, which originally tied him to the team until 2025.
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Having clinched seven F1 titles, Hamilton sought a fresh challenge after committing to Mercedes for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
His departure leaves Mercedes in search of a replacement, marking the end of a decade-long association that began when Hamilton left McLaren for Brackley in 2013.
Despite Mercedes’ previous dominance, Hamilton’s performance dipped in recent seasons, culminating in a winless 2022 and 2023 campaign where he garnered his fewest points since 2013.
Hamilton’s impending move to Ferrari has been a subject of speculation for some time.
Even though he declined a contract extension with the Scuderia last year, reports suggested a potential £40 million deal could have been on the table.
Jordan refuted Coulthard’s incredulity regarding Hamilton’s switch, citing discussions held as early as September about the possibility.
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He dismissed the notion as predictable, given the ongoing rumours surrounding Hamilton’s future.
Coulthard had expressed astonishment at the news during the Formula for Success podcast, to which Jordan responded directly, highlighting their previous discussions on the matter.
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was not unexpected for those closely following the sport, with Jordan asserting that it was a foreseeable development rather than an astonishing twist of fate.