Brundle: Hamilton is probably considering changing teams

Lewis Hamilton’s contract with Mercedes expires at the end of 2023. Over the winter, both driver and team said the contract extension was more of a formality, but after a poor start to the season, Lewis was able to consider options to continue his career with another team.

British Sky Sports expert Martin Brundle analyzed what options Hamilton has and how likely the seven-time world champion’s transition to Ferrari is.

Martin Brundle: “I think it is absolutely clear that Lewis’s main goal at the moment is to take an eighth title, become the best driver and take at least one more world title than anyone else. This is important for him and I think he is ready to play for any team where achieving this goal is possible.

In the case of a move to Ferrari, for example, is there any certainty that Lewis will achieve his goal? The Scuderia has a lot of problems of its own right now.

Can Lewis move to Red Bull? At the moment, this team seems to be the only one he can switch to. But is a Verstappen-Hamilton selection possible? Can the team afford it? Does the team need such a composition? I think Red Bull are quite happy with their first driver and whoever drives the second car.

Of course you can argue that Lewis will change the team, but where can he go at the moment? I think it’s better for him to stay and try to get a result in his great team.

At the time, a move to Mercedes also seemed like a risk, but we don’t know what Ross Brawn, Andy Cowell and many others said to Lewis at the time. Maybe they said that thanks to the hybrid power plant, the team will be way ahead of the rest. Lewis then saw the potential. But I don’t think if he changes teams now he will have the same advantage as he did then.

There is no doubt that Hamilton is in the final stages of his career, but I fully admit that he can deliver for another five years. Look at Fernando Alonso – he is three years older than Lewis and showing his best form.

Lewis has the power to join another team, make them champions and get all the trophies, but in my opinion Lewis is already in such a team. If you’re in doubt it’s better to stay – I think so and I believe Lewis thinks so too.

There are many good reasons to stay at Mercedes, but Lewis needs the team to tell him how they are going to solve problems. On the other hand, at some point Ayrton Senna moved from McLaren to Williams, Michael Schumacher left Ferrari. Great riders were not afraid of change, they inspired and surrounded themselves with new people.

And I think Lewis is probably thinking about moving to Ferrari to give the title back to this team. I am sure he will discuss with his father and his managers what to do next. The lack of car speed in Bahrain only exacerbated the situation.”