F1 pundit makes 'pressure' admission over Hamilton move

Sky Sports F1 pundit Simon Lazenby has claimed that Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari will put a number of drivers in the sport under pressure.

Hamilton's impending switch has completely shaken up the driver market, with a huge seat - which was expected to be occupied - now up for grabs, and a number of contracts coming to an end.

The Brit will replace Carlos Sainz from next year, meaning the Spaniard will race for the Italian team in 2024 knowing that he does not have a seat confirmed for 2025.

READ MORE: What the 2025 F1 grid looks like after MASSIVE Hamilton move

Lazenby lists drivers under pressure

Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate George Russell has been backed by team boss Toto Wolff to be the team’s new lead driver, but the 26-year-old was beaten comprehensively by the seven-time champion last season.

Charles Leclerc, Hamilton’s soon-to-be team-mate, recently signed a new long-term deal with Ferrari and is considered to be their star driver.

But while speaking on the Sky F1 podcast, Lazenby believes that the Monegasque driver and several others will be put under pressure to perform in the wake of Hamilton’s transfer.

“It caught us all of guard,” he said. “And already it’s started to ask questions of what might happen to those and the pressure it puts on, A, Charles Leclerc, because if he’s the de facto leader and has been the golden boy at Ferrari for a number of years, all of a sudden you’ve now got this spectre of Lewis about to arrive.

“Can Carlos [Sainz] flip this on its head? Put pressure early on Charles Leclerc, outshine him and then put himself in that shop window for others. I wonder if he may even consider a move back to Red Bull.

“For George [Russell] now, I think for Mercedes and for him, they have a really important first half of the season. If he can go toe to toe with Lewis, establish himself as a true number one, maybe they take a risk on Kimi Antonelli. If he doesn’t, does that bring Fernando Alonso more into play?”

READ MORE: Hamilton, Horner and High Stakes: How fans fell back in love with F1

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