Eddie Jordan is at the forefront of the criticism directed at Ferrari’s choice to replace Carlos Sainz with Lewis Hamilton. However, it is difficult to envision him acting differently during his tenure as an F1 team owner.
In the past, Eddie Jordan missed the opportunity to retain a promising young German driver named Michael Schumacher.
In 1991, Bertrand Gachot became embroiled in a notable incident when he assaulted a taxi driver in London, resulting in his imprisonment. This left the Jordan team with the challenge of securing a driver for that year’s Belgian Grand Prix. Fortunately, Mercedes stepped in, offering a substantial financial incentive for Gachot to allow the young Michael Schumacher the opportunity to compete in Formula 1.
Schumacher’s performance was exceptional, prompting Jordan to seek a permanent contract with him. However, he ultimately signed with Benetton and later joined Ferrari, where he achieved a remarkable total of seven drivers’ championships. This record remains unmatched in Formula 1, except by Lewis Hamilton, who, for reasons unknown, has become a point of contention for Jordan in recent times.
The Irishman has expressed strong doubts about Ferrari’s decision to hire the nearly 40-year-old Brit as Carlos Sainz’s replacement. He went so far as to label it a “suicidal” choice by the Italian team.
It’s important to recognize that this significant move carries considerable risk. With Hamilton’s 40th birthday just around the corner and following his lowest finish in the drivers’ championship, there are growing worries about whether he might be experiencing a decline in performance.
It is entirely reasonable to assert that the situation is particularly unjust for Sainz, who has demonstrated exceptional teamwork over four seasons with Ferrari. His ability to transform the disappointment of losing his seat into motivation for what is likely the finest season of his career in 2024 speaks volumes about his character. The opportunity that Ferrari has relinquished is undoubtedly a significant advantage for Williams.
However, it is quite simple to sit back and assert that one would have approached matters differently if in a position of authority. This is precisely what both Jordan and Flavio Briatore have done recently, contending that they would not have exchanged Sainz for Hamilton had they been the decision-makers at Ferrari.
The reality is, they aren’t aware of that. I’m confident that if Alpine had the chance to sign Hamilton, Briatore would have rushed to get that contract printed. It’s hard to believe that Jordan wouldn’t have made a similar choice if he were still managing a team and the most successful driver in history approached him for a spot—especially considering he missed the chance with Schumacher all those years ago.
This situation simply involves two individuals who aren’t part of the scenario being asked for their opinions, and they’ve shared them. The only reason anyone cares about their comments is that they are both prominent figures in the motorsport community, capable of drawing attention whenever they speak.
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur is a seasoned professional who possesses a deep understanding of his role. He would not have made the decision to dismiss Sainz without careful consideration, nor would he have hastily accepted Hamilton into the team without weighing the advantages and disadvantages. The insinuations made by Jordan and Briatore to the contrary are disrespectful to an individual of Vasseur’s acumen.
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