Former F1 driver Karun Chandhok emphasized that Lewis Hamilton’s switch to Scuderia Ferrari seemed to be a measured gamble.
Lewis Hamilton is now a Scuderia Ferrari driver. The seven-time world champion will likely complete his Formula 1 career with the long-awaited stint at Maranello.
Now, former F1 driver Karun Chandhok has highlighted the bet made by the Briton with this switch from Mercedes.
This is the second team change made by Hamilton in Formula 1. The 39-year-old had left McLaren in 2013 to join the Silver Arrows, which proved to be arguably the best decision in the sport’s recent history. Chandhok reckoned that Lewis Hamilton had taken a similar calculated risk this year.
The former Indian driver asserted that Hamilton wanted to take this bet to see if he can repeat his success at Mercedes. However, Karun Chandhok pointed out that the seven-time world champion remains in the dark about the progress being made by other teams.
It is a calculated risk. once it worked, let’s see if it repeats itself. I think it’s a bet, because how do you know what the opposing team was doing?
Karun Chandhok told Sky F1
Lewis Hamilton had ‘no idea’ over Mercedes’ development
The 39-year-old had a frustrating final season at Mercedes. The seven-time world champion even considered quitting before the end of the year. Chandhok claimed that Lewis Hamilton was clueless over the development at Brackley. He recalled the time when the Briton admitted that the team was not listening to his suggestions.
Of course he had an idea of what was going on at Mercedes. He said people didn’t necessarily listen to what he said and didn’t fully take into account some of his ideas on car development.
Karun Chandhok explained
Certainly, Lewis Hamilton would not be willing to suffer through such a situation at Ferrari this year. The seven-time world champion is rejuvenated and would be happy to provide his suggestions. Perhaps, this change of environment can help him prosper in the upcoming season.