Plenty of hoopla at the time about Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari next season. But I wonder whether the Scuderia, and their disappointingly ordinary team principal Fred Vasseur, may regret the haste with which they signed the seven-time world champion.
For Lewis, the move is undoubtedly right. He needs a new lease of life away from lacklustre Mercedes, even if his impending departure means forfeiting his right to a lifetime ambassadorial role with the Silver Arrows.
It makes a lot of commercial sense, too, for Ferrari and driver. Hamilton is the biggest global name in motor racing, as Michael Schumacher, their last super-champion was in his salad days, and the tills should ring loudly.
But it is a mistake for Ferrari, the latest of Vasseur’s (a notable other example is to have jettisoned Carlos Sainz, rather than the error-prone Charles Leclerc). If he were shrewder, he would not have signed Lewis, who will be aged 40 by the time he turns a Ferrari steering wheel in anger. He would instead have enlisted Max Verstappen, now 26 and at the peak of his powers.
It would be the Ferrari way of old. Luca di Montezemolo, team principal and president of legend, pushed Schumacher through the exit door at 37. He saw rejuvenation as a requirement, just as Sir Alex Ferguson did in a parallel world.
<img decoding="async" src="https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/23/21/85267319-13453473-image-a-2_1716495245938.jpg" width="634" height="423" data-gallery-handler-attached="true" />
Ferrari may have missed a trick by going for Lewis Hamilton (right) over Max Verstappen (left)
<img decoding="async" src="https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/23/21/85267551-13453473-image-a-3_1716495251181.jpg" width="634" height="423" data-gallery-handler-attached="true" />
It could prove to be the latest notable error from Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur
Not available? Well, Verstappen might be after the recent upheaval at Red Bull. He was even been persuasively linked to Mercedes, with his father Jos certainly having considered the option.
Perhaps I am being unfair on Vasseur, who cannot countermand his chairman, John Elkann.
But whoever made the call, flunked it.
Full marks to McLaren&#8217;s Stella boss
Star of the season? Verstappen is a contender, but we need to give someone else a chance. My nomination is Andrea Stella, team principal of McLaren.
Just speaking to him, you detect the methodical thought process of a top engineer. He is also a decent man.
He has wrought a revolution at the team to the extent that last year’s jalopy is transformed into a race winner, even against the might of Red Bull.
Standing at the bulkhead on a flight last year, he explained in plain English – the Italian’s second language – how the secret to speed under the current regulations was all to do with the floor and the vortices generated there.
Informed by this, he has overseen a miracle the eyes can’t see.
Equal credit to his boss Zak Brown, who was smart enough to perceive Stella as the man for the job.
<img decoding="async" src="https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/23/21/85267567-13453473-image-a-4_1716495281212.jpg" width="634" height="423" data-gallery-handler-attached="true" />
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella (pictured) has wrought a revolution at the team
Surely it&#8217;s time we let Senna rest in peace?
Is it not time we let Ayrton Senna rest in peace?
He died 30 years ago, on May 1, and those who wish to memorialise him have every right to do so. Indeed, we have done so at Mail Sport.
And ahead of last week’s race at Imola, Sebastian Vettel organised an on-grid get-together of the drivers and drove a Senna car he owns. All somewhat strange given that the German was seven when the Brazilian died, aged 34.
Now, McLaren, whose most successful driver Senna was, have decked out their Monaco car in yellow and green, the colours of his national flag, a month on. And quotes of his are etched on the staircase connecting the paddock to the garages.
Sure, Senna was among the handful of best drivers ever, but this endless deification of him is in danger of never stopping.
Thirty years is not a landmark anniversary in any case. Twenty-five was. Can we please wait until the 50th anniversary before we go again?
<img decoding="async" src="https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/23/21/85041999-13453473-image-a-5_1716495388830.jpg" width="634" height="425" data-gallery-handler-attached="true" />
The endless deification of legendary Brazilian Ayrton Senna is in danger of never stopping
Farewell Stars&#8217;N&#8217;Bars
Stars’N’Bars was a landmark of the harbour, and I must admit I notched the odd expenses claim there over the years. Right next to the press centre, it shut down last year after three decades serving burgers and beers.
A new, posher establishment has opened up in the same premises.
Conscientiae, it’s called. ‘Tres expensive’, as it was described to me. Not so bad, actually, and without the old sticky floor.
Have you been to Mona-Coe?
Overheard here last year while speaking to Seb Coe. A colleague asked him if he had been to Monaco before. The double Olympic gold medallist pointed his finger towards the World Athletics HQ that overlooks the Med and said: ‘That’s my office.’
Mercedes opt for youth when Hamilton leaves
Word is that Mercedes are likely to go with youth in replacing Lewis Hamilton. That means Kimi Antonelli, 18, coming in. Red Bull are likely to stick with Verstappen and Sergio Perez, the least troublesome understudy in the business.
<img decoding="async" src="https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/23/21/85268119-13453473-image-a-7_1716495668760.jpg" width="634" height="423" data-gallery-handler-attached="true" />
Mercedes are likely to go with youth in replacing Lewis Hamilton with Andrea Kimi Antonelli
Eddie makes speedy recovery
Medical bulletin. Eddie Jordan, who has emerged as Adrian Newey’s unlikely manager, is recovering well after recent prostate surgery. He is well enough to attend this weekend.
Horner scandal nears its end
Christian Horner feels emboldened enough to break bread with British journalists on Friday.
That he is doing so, on board Red Bull’s floating ‘Energy Station’ hospitality building, indicates that he believes he is out the other side of the scandal that shook him and the team to their foundations earlier in the year.
Cleared of wrongdoing, an appeal process continues. At the very least we’re heading towards the end of the beginning.
<img decoding="async" src="https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/23/21/85267973-13453473-image-a-6_1716495543747.jpg" width="634" height="423" data-gallery-handler-attached="true" />
Horner was accused of &#8216;inappropriate behaviour&#8217; by a female employee before being cleared
Tradition thrown out the window at Monaco
The old rhythm of Monaco weekends has been traded in on the altar of conformity. Every other race was and runs like this (give or take the new sprint format): Thursday, media day; Friday, practice; Saturday, qualifying; Sunday, race.
Monaco was but no longer is: Wednesday, media day; Thursday, practice; Friday, off; Saturday, qualifying: Sunday, race.
It makes little odds to TV viewers, I know, but the more leisurely format, conjuring languid walks along the Med and long lunches on yachts, was a joy for those on the spot.
Liberty Media, who bought the sport in 2017, squeezed it all back, tradition burnt. But when you have 24 races to cram in, every day counts.

Blog HotNews

Sports

News

Animals

Babies

Ferrari flunked it. They should have signed Max Verstappen instead of Lewis Hamilton, writes JONATHAN McEVOY