Jenson Button Raises Concerns Over Age Impact on Lewis Hamilton’s Qualifying Performance
Jenson Button, the 2009 Formula 1 World Champion, has sparked a discussion about age and its potential impact on Lewis Hamilton’s recent struggles in qualifying. As Hamilton approaches his 40th birthday, Button questions whether the aging process might be affecting his performance against his younger teammate, George Russell.
The 2024 F1 season has been a challenging one for Hamilton, especially when it comes to qualifying. With just three races left in the year, Hamilton trails Russell 16-5 in their head-to-head qualifying results. This will mark only the second time in his 12-year Mercedes career that Hamilton has lost the qualifying battle to a teammate. His recent performance at the Brazilian Grand Prix, where he failed to make it out of Q1 during a wet qualifying session, was a stark reminder of the difficulties he’s been facing. In contrast, Russell set the second-fastest time, two seconds quicker than Hamilton, raising more questions about the seven-time World Champion’s qualifying form.
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Button, who shared a team with Hamilton at McLaren for several years, speculated that age might be playing a role in Hamilton's struggles. Speaking at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Button said, "He’s almost 40 years old and maybe you do lose a tiny bit. You are racing against 20-year-olds, and no matter how good your reactions are, they won’t be as quick as someone half your age." Button emphasized that while age might not hinder a driver during the race itself, qualifying—where every millisecond counts—might reveal these small but significant differences in reaction time. He pointed out how younger drivers have the advantage of sharper reflexes, which is crucial in the high-stakes environment of F1 qualifying.
Despite Hamilton's tough season, Button remains optimistic about his former teammate’s ability to bounce back. Hamilton’s determination was evident after his disappointing performance in Brazil, when he expressed frustration but confirmed that he would fight on. Button, always a supporter of Hamilton, believes the Briton has the potential to finish the season strong. "After a weekend like that, that’s the last thing you remember about Formula 1," Button said. "I’m really happy that he’s here, and I’m sure we’ll see the best of Lewis."
Hamilton, who has already secured two wins this season, remains committed to improving and finishing his time with Mercedes on a high note. With just three races remaining in the 2024 season and a move to Ferrari on the horizon for 2025, Hamilton’s focus is clear: to give everything in the final stretch of this chapter of his career.
Button’s comments underscore an important truth in motorsport: as athletes age, physical changes are inevitable, and even the slightest decline in reflexes can make a difference in a sport as precise as Formula 1. However, Hamilton’s resilience and competitive spirit suggest that while his age may be a factor, it won’t be enough to slow him down in his pursuit of greatness. As Button and others have shown, Hamilton’s journey is far from over, and his legacy is secure, no matter the results in these final races.
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