Jeff Gordon is one of the most well-known and successful drivers in NASCAR having taken four titles driving the iconic number 24 car.
His achievements in the American stockcar series are similar to Lewis Hamilton’s in F1, with 93 career wins and 81 pole positions.
Gordon has long been a fan of F1 and even came close to earning a drive in the early 00s with Williams following a test having met with the team at the Spanish GP, although the opportunity ultimately fell through when the American realised it was best to stay in stockcars.
Hamilton has also shown interest in competing in NASCAR after taking part in a sponsorship event in 2011 at Watkins Glen when he swapped cars with Tony Stewart. Other F1 drivers such as Daniel Ricciardo also had desires to race in NASCAR, but he ultimately chose single-seaters.
Discussing whether he thinks the seven-time world champion could race competitively in NASCAR on the Beyond the Grid podcast, Gordon rates whether Hamilton would have what it takes.
Jeff Gordon says Lewis Hamilton has ‘ability and talent’ to compete in NASCAR
Former F1 champions Kimi Raikkonen and Jenson Button both competed in NASCAR Cup races at the Circuit of the Americas in 2023, with them both finishing 29th and 18th respectively.
Button competed in three races that year and also raced a NASCAR as the Garage 56 entry at Le Mans, while Raikkonen has dipped in and out of stock cars throughout his racing career.
Gordon thinks Hamilton has the ‘ability and talent’ to make it in NASCAR, and drew comparisons to his own career when discussing it with Tom Clarkson.
Clarkson: “If Lewis had taken the same course in life as you did, do you think he would be successful in NASCAR?”
Gordon: “You just nailed it 100% there. I have enough confidence in my abilities that I feel like if I had taken that path [to F1], I could’ve been successful. It’s the same with Lewis Hamilton. When you have the ability and talent to find the limit of the car and have the confidence, drive, and desire to push yourself in every aspect, you’re going to be successful.”
Could Lewis Hamilton make a switch to NASCAR after F1?
Hamilton turned 40 years old in January and could potentially become the first driver since Jack Brabham to win an F1 world title at that age if he is successful at Ferrari.
Although the desire to race in F1 fades in drivers due to how intense it can be, they tend to scratch their racing itch in other categories.
READ MORE: Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton’s life outside F1 from net worth to family
Le Mans, IndyCar and NASCAR are all testaments to that, and while Hamilton has set himself up for life post-F1 with all of his other business ventures, it is not out of the question.
The seven-time world champion told NBC that he would “love to try” NASCAR “at some stage” in 2023, while Hamilton has also expressed interest in competing in MotoGP.
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