Jacky Ickx feels Lewis Hamilton can no longer challenge Charles Leclerc or Max Verstappen. Jacky Ickx on Lewis Hamilton's decline in F1.

Lewis Hamilton has been facing many problems in this early stage of the 2022 Formula One season. The seven-time world champion has to fight on at least three fronts: the first is linked to the lack of competitiveness of his Mercedes car as compared to Red Bull and Scuderia Ferrari; the second is related to the speed of new team mate George Russell, who has 23 points more in the Formula 1 Driver Standings ahead of round six of the championship, the Spanish Grand Prix, which takes place this weekend at the Circuit de Catalunya.

His third issue concerns the jewelry situation, with FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem who supported Niels Wittich’s strict rules regarding rings, necklaces and earrings, precious items that Lewis Hamilton loves to carry around as much as possible, in the paddock as well as in the car.

However, since now not a word has been said regarding the current performance level of the British driver: at 37, is he still the same driver as always?

Former Scuderia Ferrari driver Jacky Ickx, who raced for the Maranello team in 1968 and between 1970 and 1973, has some doubts. The 1969 and 1970 world vice-champion believes that in order to be able to fight against the young and talented driver of today’s Formula 1 one must be at the peak of his career. Going through the decline phase, even if your name is Lewis Hamilton, means an almost certain defeat: “You can’t beat Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc or Lando Norris if you are no longer at your best. As a driver, you grow to your peak performance, and then try to keep it as long as possible. As soon as you drop, you start to decline and drop very quickly from that moment. The decline is much faster than the growth you had when you were young. Did you see how exhausted the drivers were after racing in the Miami heat? Sometimes we hear that winning is easy, but it never is. You must always have maximum concentration.” – these are the words of the Belgian in an interview for Ziggo Sport during the Historic Grand Prix of Monaco.

“The important thing is that Lewis still wants to compete. He has many fans and many people who willingly follow him. Without a doubt he will still win some Grands Prix, but the time available to him at the top is running out.” – former Scuderia Ferrari driver Jacky Ickx concluded.