Eddie Jordan Reveals Lewis Hamilton Doubt Ahead Of Ferrari F1 Debut

Eddie Jordan reveals the challenges Lewis Hamilton will face at Ferrari, particularly competing against Charles Leclerc.

Nov 21, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Mercedes AMG Petronas driver Lewis Hamilton (44) arrives before practice for the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Circuit. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

As Lewis Hamilton prepares to join Ferrari, Former F1 team boss Eddie Jordan has discussed the British driver's potential challenges at Ferrari, particularly regarding his competition with new teammate Charles Leclerc.

Hamilton holds the record as the most successful qualifier with 104 pole positions. However, during the 2024 season, his form experienced a decline, especially in qualifying where he was frequently outperformed by teammate George Russell. This places his upcoming performance at Ferrari under scrutiny, particularly against Charles Leclerc, who also has a strong qualifying performance.

During an interview with talkSPORT, as quoted by Crash.net, Jordan explained:

“When he goes to Ferrari, well, first of all, he’s got to beat Leclerc. 

“Charles Leclerc is no stooge. Let me please tell you that in a qualifying position, that I will be surprised.

“I will be surprised if Lewis can match him in the qualifying. But who knows? Lewis is a very dark horse. You just never know what you’re going to get.”

Ferrari has been making strides in recent years, with the 2024 season marked by significant improvements and a competitive edge that brought them close to clinching the constructors' title. Leclerc achieved 11 podium finishes and won races at Monaco, Monza, and Austin. Jordan continued:

“But I’d say Ferrari, to be fair, they spent an unbelievable amount of money to get Lewis there,” he added.

“I would say he will get a very fair shot at it. I don’t think there’ll be anything untoward, and we’ll just see what happens.”

Speaking about his upcoming season with Ferrari, the seven-time champion posted to social media:

“I could not be more excited for the year ahead. Moving to Scuderia Ferrari, there’s a lot to reflect on.

“To anyone considering their next move in 2025: embrace the change. Whether you're switching industries, learning a new skill, or even just taking on new challenges, remember that reinvention is powerful.

“Your next opportunity is always within reach. Here’s to 2025 – a year of embracing new opportunities, staying hungry, and driving forward with purpose. Let’s make it one to remember. Andiamo.”

2025 Formula One Season Schedule

Pre-Season Testing

• Dates: 26-28 Feb
• Location: Bahrain, Sakhir
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 ARAMCO PRE-SEASON TESTING 2025
• Circuit: Pre-Season Testing

Australia

• Dates: 14-16 Mar
• Location: Australia, Melbourne
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2025
• Circuit: Melbourne circuit

China

• Dates: 21-23 Mar
• Location: China, Shanghai
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 HEINEKEN CHINESE GRAND PRIX 2025
• Circuit: Shanghai circuit

Japan

• Dates: 04-06 Apr
• Location: Japan, Suzuka
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 LENOVO JAPANESE GRAND PRIX 2025
• Circuit: Suzuka circuit

Bahrain

• Dates: 11-13 Apr
• Location: Bahrain, Sakhir
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX 2025
• Circuit: Sakhir circuit

Saudi Arabia

• Dates: 18-20 Apr
• Location: Saudi Arabia, Jeddah
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 STC SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX 2025
• Circuit: Jeddah circuit

Miami

• Dates: 02-04 May
• Location: Miami, Miami
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX 2025
• Circuit: Miami circuit

Emilia-Romagna

• Dates: 16-18 May
• Location: Emilia-Romagna, Imola
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 AWS GRAN PREMIO DEL MADE IN ITALY E DELL'EMILIA-ROMAGNA 2025
• Circuit: Imola circuit

Monaco

• Dates: 23-25 May
• Location: Monaco, Monaco
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX DE MONACO 2025
• Circuit: Monaco circuit

Spain

• Dates: 30 May-01 Jun
• Location: Spain, Barcelona
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 ARAMCO GRAN PREMIO DE ESPAÑA 2025
• Circuit: Barcelona circuit

Canada

• Dates: 13-15 Jun
• Location: Canada, Montréal
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 PIRELLI GRAND PRIX DU CANADA 2025
• Circuit: Montréal circuit

Austria

• Dates: 27-29 Jun
• Location: Austria, Spielberg
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 MSC CRUISES AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX 2025
• Circuit: Spielberg circuit

Great Britain

• Dates: 04-06 Jul
• Location: Great Britain, Silverstone
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS BRITISH GRAND PRIX 2025
• Circuit: Silverstone circuit

Belgium

• Dates: 25-27 Jul
• Location: Belgium, Spa-Francorchamps
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 BELGIAN GRAND PRIX 2025
• Circuit: Spa-Francorchamps circuit

Hungary

• Dates: 01-03 Aug
• Location: Hungary, Budapest
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 LENOVO HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX 2025
• Circuit: Budapest circuit

Netherlands

• Dates: 29-31 Aug
• Location: Netherlands, Zandvoort
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 HEINEKEN DUTCH GRAND PRIX 2025
• Circuit: Zandvoort circuit

Italy

• Dates: 05-07 Sep
• Location: Italy, Monza
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 PIRELLI GRAN PREMIO D’ITALIA 2025
• Circuit: Monza circuit

Azerbaijan

• Dates: 19-21 Sep
• Location: Azerbaijan, Baku
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS AZERBAIJAN GRAND PRIX 2025
• Circuit: Baku circuit

Singapore

• Dates: 03-05 Oct
• Location: Singapore, Marina Bay
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX 2025
• Circuit: Marina Bay circuit

United States

• Dates: 17-19 Oct
• Location: United States, Austin
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 MSC CRUISES UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX 2025
• Circuit: Austin circuit

Mexico

• Dates: 24-26 Oct
• Location: Mexico, Mexico City
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 GRAN PREMIO DE LA CIUDAD DE MÉXICO 2025
• Circuit: Mexico City circuit

Brazil

• Dates: 07-09 Nov
• Location: Brazil, São Paulo
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 MSC CRUISES GRANDE PRÊMIO DE SÃO PAULO 2025
• Circuit: São Paulo circuit

Las Vegas

• Dates: 20-22 Nov
• Location: Las Vegas, Las Vegas
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 HEINEKEN SILVER LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX 2025
• Circuit: Las Vegas circuit

Qatar

• Dates: 28-30 Nov
• Location: Qatar, Lusail
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS QATAR GRAND PRIX 2025
• Circuit: Lusail circuit

Abu Dhabi

• Dates: 05-07 Dec
• Location: Abu Dhabi, Yas Island
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX 2025
• Circuit: Yas Island circuit