Damon Hill warns Lewis Hamilton: “Age makes it harder to handle a non-competitive car”. Damon Hill says Lewis Hamilton made the right move to Ferrari.

Former Formula 1 World Champion Damon Hill has shared his perspective on Lewis Hamilton’s challenging debut season with Scuderia Ferrari, praising the British driver’s decision to switch teams but also highlighting the growing difficulty of competing in an uncompetitive car as a driver ages.

Signs of Progress for Hamilton at Silverstone

During the 2025 British Grand Prix at Silverstone, Lewis Hamilton delivered what many observers considered to be his strongest weekend since joining Ferrari. Although he finished in fourth place, the seven-time Formula 1 World Champion displayed renewed determination and aggression throughout the race.

Lewis Hamilton outqualified his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc and impressed fans with several bold overtakes in wet conditions, showing flashes of the form that made him one of the most successful drivers in F1 history.

In post-race comments, the British driver noted that he had finally found a car setup that made him feel more connected to the SF-25 chassis—despite ongoing difficulties that he and the team have openly acknowledged since the start of the 2025 season. The adjustment marked a step forward in terms of driver confidence and car responsiveness, even though Ferrari is still struggling to consistently challenge Red Bull and McLaren at the front of the grid.

Damon Hill’s Take on Hamilton and Ferrari

Damon Hill, 1996 Formula 1 World Champion and respected commentator, has been in the spotlight in the United Kingdom in recent weeks due to a new Sky UK documentary focusing on his life and career, as well as that of his legendary father, Graham Hill.

In an interview with GQ, Hill offered his thoughts on Hamilton’s move to Ferrari and the broader challenges facing veteran drivers. “I think moving to Ferrari was the right decision, especially if Lewis wanted to keep racing,” said Damon Hill. “If they manage to give him a competitive car, I think we’ll see the old Lewis again—at least for a while. But as a driver, the older you get, the harder it becomes to drive a car that isn’t competitive.”

Damon Hill’s words reflect the physical and mental demands of Formula 1, which increase over time when drivers are no longer consistently fighting at the front. In this context, he compared Hamilton’s situation to that of Fernando Alonso, who remains active with Aston Martin despite the team’s recent performance slump.

Hill Praises Alonso’s Resilience and Reflects on Hamilton’s Career

Speaking further, Hill explained why he holds Fernando Alonso in high regard. “That’s why I’m so impressed with Fernando,” he said. “He keeps achieving solid results even though his car is far from the front. He does it because he still feels that something is missing from his career—that there’s still a goal to achieve.”

The implication was that Alonso continues to race with a sense of unfinished business, while Hamilton may have a different mindset.

“Lewis, on the other hand, I’m not sure he feels like there’s something left for him to prove,” Hill added. “Yes, he hasn’t won that eighth world championship, but he can still be satisfied with everything he has accomplished.”

Hill’s remarks suggest that while Hamilton remains hungry for success, his legacy is already secure, and the absence of an eighth title doesn’t necessarily diminish his career in the eyes of many—including Hill himself.

As Ferrari continues to prepare for the new 2026 regulations, the team faces growing pressure to give Lewis Hamilton a car capable of winning. Until then, as Hill pointed out, the British champion must grapple not only with performance limitations but also with the natural challenges that come with age in such a demanding sport.