Nico Rosberg Delivers “Age-Related” Verdict on Lewis Hamilton Dip in Form

Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time world champion with records for the most pole positions, most race wins, and most career podiums, among many other achievements, continues to race at the highest level at 40 years old. But recently, his performances have not been as good as the last 18 years. One of his former teammates, Nico Rosberg, gave his verdict on Hamilton’s loss of pace.

From the drama that was Abu Dhabi in 2021, Lewis Hamilton has only picked up two race wins (and one sprint race win), one of which came in Belgium 2024 when then-teammate George Russell was disqualified from the race. The other was a NINTH home race win at the 2025 British Grand Prix. While 2024 saw an upturn in form for Hamilton, including the two victories, he was only able to claim one podium in the final 10 races in 2024.

LEWIS HAMILTON WINS THE BRITISH GRAND PRIX FOR THE NINTH TIME!#F1 #BritishGP pic.twitter.com/lCrrbQKEtf

— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) July 7, 2024

His start to life in Ferrari has also been underwhelming, picking up no podiums, one sprint race victory, and currently sitting 6th in the drivers’ championship. This opens up the question, why is Hamilton not able to perform in recent times?

Rosberg’s ‘age-related’ theory on Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton’s former teammate and now Sky F1 pundit, Nico Rosberg, believes Hamilton’s dip in form is due to a “continuation” of his poor end to 2024 with Mercedes.

Speaking with Sky F1, Rosberg said, “It’s a little bit of a continuation of the form from last year, where already there was a bit of a dip there and George had the upper hand and was beating him at Mercedes and also finished ahead in the points. And now it’s continued that a little bit. Just a little bit lacking here and there, especially in ultimate pace in qualifying.”

Lewis Hamilton Admits Former Team Mercedes Now Outpaces Ferrari Amid Ongoing Struggles

Rosberg was also asked why he feels his former teammate’s struggles have persisted while at Ferrari. He said, “My answer would be: even if he’s the greatest of all time, at some point you are going to get a little bit slower, and that’s age-related. And when you’re 40, it’s going to happen sooner rather than later, so the question is whether that age has come where you start to get a little bit slower.”

Rosberg further expressed his sympathy for Hamilton while watching FP2 trackside at the Spanish Grand Prix, where he described the SF-25 as “the worst” car on the grid.

“The worst car is the Ferrari”, Rosberg said, “Oh my goodness! Poor Lewis Hamilton. That car is a handful. It has the biggest understeer, and it has the biggest snap oversteer.”

Can Ferrari improve the car after a difficult first eight races and provide a turnaround in form, or is Rosberg right and is Lewis Hamilton’s age catching up with him towards the end of his career?