BREAKING: Bernie Ecclestone CASTS Doubt on Hamilton’s Future at Ferrari, Warns of…read more
Bernie Ecclestone CASTS Doubt on Hamilton’s Future at Ferrari
Former F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone has expressed serious reservations about Lewis Hamilton’s long-term prospects with Ferrari, suggesting that the seven-time world champion might not complete his full two-year deal with the team.
Ecclestone, who led the sport from 1987 until 2017, warned that Ferrari could eventually regret signing Hamilton. The British superstar’s headline-grabbing move to the Italian outfit—announced just over a year ago—sent shockwaves throughout Formula 1, dramatically altering the sport’s competitive balance. As anticipation builds for Hamilton’s Ferrari debut, several insiders are questioning if the partnership will live up to expectations.
Now 94, Ecclestone has joined the ranks of skeptics by asserting that Hamilton’s stay at Ferrari could be shorter than planned. Speaking to The Telegraph, he remarked, “He won’t last that long.” Although Piero Ferrari, a driving force behind the signing, remains confident in the decision, Ecclestone cautioned that the team might later realize it acted too hastily. “I hope they have made the right choice. I hope they don’t end up wishing they hadn’t jumped in so quickly,” he added.
Ecclestone’s concerns extend to Hamilton’s ability to integrate into Ferrari’s unique culture, especially when compared to his future teammate Charles Leclerc. The former Brabham boss believes Leclerc, who has been with Ferrari since 2019 and speaks fluent Italian, is likely to receive preferential treatment and greater support from the team. “I don’t think Lewis will get the same attention at Ferrari,” Ecclestone explained, noting that the team’s satisfaction with Leclerc could lead them to naturally look after him.
Even if Hamilton performs well on track, Ecclestone foresees potential internal friction simply due to his sudden arrival. “There’ll still be a lot of enemies, because he has suddenly arrived,” he predicted.
Moreover, Ecclestone questioned Hamilton’s motivation, implying that the veteran might have lost some of the relentless drive that characterized his earlier years. While acknowledging that age isn’t the sole factor in a driver’s decline, he argued that extended time at the top level can lead to mental fatigue. “It’s not the age with drivers, it’s how long they have been doing the same thing. I’ve thought with Lewis, ‘He’s getting tired. He has lost motivation.’”
He further suggested that Hamilton’s impressive haul of seven world championships might have diminished his incentive to chase additional titles. “If he had never won a world championship, it might be different because then there would be an incentive to win one. But he has won seven,” Ecclestone noted.
Despite these pointed criticisms, Hamilton remains determined to silence his doubters as he embarks on a new chapter with Ferrari in 2025.
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