Lewis Hamilton should opt out of Mercedes and seek a fresh challenge on the grid, says ex-Formula 1 team owner Eddie Jordan.
Hamilton has struggled at Mercedes since the 2022 season, with the Brackley-based squad lacking front-running pace.
It marks a huge disparity compared to previous years Hamilton enjoyed with the team, winning six titles from 2014 to 2020.
The 38-year-old is out of contract at the end of the year but has suggested on multiple occasions that he is eager to remain with Mercedes beyond 2023.
Hamilton is currently partnered with George Russell, who joined Mercedes last year after three seasons with Williams.
The one-time grand prix winner has received praise for his performance at Mercedes amid its difficult run of form, with Jordan admitting that he formed the wrong opinion of Russell.
“I saw him in the Williams and I thought: ‘Are they really going to sign him? Is that really what is going to happen?’” Jordan said on the Formula For Success podcast.
“He absolutely blew me away and full marks, hands up, I got that wrong – I never thought he would do what he is doing and I never thought he would be beating Lewis.”
Outside of Mercedes, there are few options for Hamilton with several teams already having their 2024 line-ups locked in.
Ex-F1 driver Johnny Herbert called on Ferrari to go all in to try and sign Hamilton for next year.
Jordan says that the time is right for Hamilton to part ways with Mercedes and seek a new challenge on the grid.
“My only concern is that Lewis has to find something else in his mojo now and he needs to get out of there. He needs to move on just like he did when he was with McLaren.
“Get out of Mercedes Lewis, it is time you reinvent yourself somewhere else.”
