Mercedes need Lewis Hamilton if they want to continue their run of success in Formula 1, former team owner Eddie Jordan claims.
On Monday, months of speculation was finally put to rest as the seven-time world champion was confirmed at the German manufacturer for another season in 2021.
However, despite Hamilton’s unrelenting success, with 74 wins and six world titles since 2014, his doubters believe most of it is due to his car, which has been the class of the field for the majority of those seven seasons.
And that is something Carlos Sainz admits does blur the image when it comes to the 36-year-old’s ability.
“I think Lewis is the best driver on the grid, I think he’s one of the most talented in history,” the new Ferrari driver is quoted by GPFans.
Also Read:
- Hamilton: When I stop smiling, that’s when I’ll retire from F1
- 10 F1 championships & 150 wins ‘entirely doable’ for Hamilton – Brundle
- Hamilton still F1’s top driver but Verstappen is closing
“But it’s impossible to know because there are only two Mercedes out there to drive, and that is my point.
“It’s unfortunate at the moment that the sport is so team and machine-driven while there is so much talent on the grid right now.
“All drivers could be within three-tenths of each other in a qualifying lap and then we are fighting for two seconds from the beginning to the end of the grid.”
For those doubters, no greater proof came with George Russell’s substitute performance at last year’s Sakhir Grand Prix, when he stepped into a cramped Mercedes and would have likely won the race but for tyre dramas.
However, Jordan argues if anyone, including at the Brackley-based team, thinks they would be just as strong without Hamilton, they’re simply wrong.
“Lewis Hamilton is the jewel in the crown,” he told the BBC recently. “He’s the one every TV station wants to interview.
“Mercedes are probably saying a lot of this is to do with the car and we’ve given him an outstanding chance to be world champion because he has the best car and that’s not in dispute.
“However, if they think they can replace Lewis Hamilton with another driver and have the same element of success then I think they are deluded.
“And one thing’s for sure, Mercedes and Toto Wolf will not be easily deluded,” the Irishman stated.
“He’s a very smart guy. He knows exactly the value of Lewis Hamilton and I think they will sit down and come to a good solution because the world of F1 needs Lewis Hamilton in it.”
Well, after today’s news, he’s on the grid to stay for one more year at least.