Lewis Hamilton is set to safe a historic eighth Formula One title with Ferrari, defying the standard limits of age in a sport that has lengthy been dominated by youthful drivers.
At 40, Hamilton’s pursuit of that elusive document would break new floor.
While an eighth world title would cement his place within the F1 historical past books, profitable past the age of 40 has confirmed tough for even the best drivers.
No one has received a race previous 40 since 1994, and the final 40-plus driver to say the championship was in 1966 – practically 60 years in the past.
In an interview with Time final month, Hamilton dismissed any comparisons to older drivers.
“I’m hungry, driven, don’t have a wife and kids. I’m focused on one thing, and that’s winning,” he mentioned, including that his single-minded dedication is what units him aside.
The 2025 season kicks off subsequent week in Melbourne, Australia, the place Hamilton will start his quest for an unprecedented eighth crown.
Looking on the challenges and triumphs of F1’s veterans reveals the steep odds Hamilton faces in rewriting historical past:
Michael Schumacher’s struggles
After 40 Schumacher, a seven-time world champion, made a much-anticipated return to F1 with Mercedes in 2010, aiming for his eighth title.
But his post-comeback years have been lower than spectacular.
Outperformed by teammate Nico Rosberg in all three of his seasons, Schumacher managed only one podium end earlier than retiring once more in 2012 at 43.
His alternative at Mercedes? Hamilton, who would go on to dominate the game.
Nigel Mansell’s transient return
The 1992 champion, Mansell, returned to F1 in 1994 after a profitable IndyCar stint, becoming a member of Williams for a four-race mission to assist teammate Damon Hill beat Schumacher to the title.
Mansell received the season-ending Australian Grand Prix at 41 however was overshadowed by Schumacher’s controversial title win.
He tried a return with McLaren in 1995 however give up after simply two races.
Juan Manuel Fangio’s timeless dominance
Fangio, typically considered the best driver of F1’s early years, didn’t win his first title till 1949 on the age of 40.
His resilience within the harmful Fifties period was exceptional.
He clinched 5 world titles – 4 of them consecutively – and took his ultimate championship at 46, a document that will by no means be surpassed.
The pioneers: Luigi Fagioli and Louis Chiron
In F1’s adolescence, older drivers have been frequent.
Luigi Fagioli, at 53, stays the oldest winner of a race, sharing victory with Fangio within the 1951 French Grand Prix – permitted by the principles on the time.
Louis Chiron, in the meantime, made a memorable look at 58, racing within the Monaco Grand Prix in 1958.
Jack Brabham’s historic feat
Jack Brabham, a two-time champion within the late Fifties and 1960, made historical past in 1966 by profitable the championship at 40 along with his personal Brabham crew.
He stays the final driver over 40 to take the title. Brabham scored his ultimate F1 victory at 43 in 1970 earlier than retiring that very same 12 months.
Fernando Alonso’s quest for glory
As Hamilton appears to make historical past, one other F1 veteran can also be chasing a monumental achievement.
Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, Hamilton’s former teammate at McLaren in 2007, stays an bold contender.
Though Alonso’s Aston Martin crew is targeted on creating a automotive to compete underneath new laws in 2026, a win for him would make him the oldest champion in practically 70 years.
Source: www.dailysabah.com