Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari dubbed 'an ego thing' as concerns raised over....Read more

Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari dubbed ‘an ego thing’ as concerns raised over huge contract

Bernie Ecclestone, the former Formula 1 chief, has raised doubts about Lewis Hamilton’s much-anticipated move to Ferrari, suggesting that the decision may have been more about satisfying the ego of Ferrari president John Elkann than a strategic career move for the seven-time world champion. Hamilton, who has long harbored a dream of driving for the iconic Italian team, has agreed to a multi-year contract with Ferrari, marking a significant shift away from Mercedes. The 39-year-old British driver, who has dominated the sport with Mercedes over the past decade, is now preparing to make the switch to Maranello in pursuit of a record eighth World Championship title.

In a recent interview with the Daily Mail, Ecclestone, who controlled F1 for decades before the sport was sold to Liberty Media in 2017, suggested that while the move might be a “big deal” for Hamilton, there are questions about whether the decision will ultimately live up to expectations. Ecclestone believes that Hamilton’s new contract, with its various bonuses, might be more about making Hamilton feel good than about a realistic pathway to success, especially considering Ferrari’s current standing in the championship.

According to Ecclestone, the real motivation behind Hamilton’s signing may be tied to Elkann’s personal ambitions. “For John Elkann, the guy who runs Ferrari, it was a big ego thing,” Ecclestone remarked. He pointed out that when Elkann signed Hamilton, the decision likely made sense given Hamilton’s reputation as one of the best drivers in F1 history. However, Ecclestone questioned whether Elkann would still be satisfied with his choice, given the changing dynamics within the sport. “Whether he is still happy with that is another story. Only time will tell,” Ecclestone added.

Hamilton himself has been outspoken about his excitement for the move to Ferrari, describing it as a fulfillment of a childhood dream. Despite his enthusiasm, Ecclestone expressed skepticism about whether the British driver would find the success he’s looking for at Ferrari, suggesting that Hamilton may be disappointed with the realities of racing for the team. Although Ferrari has shown significant improvement under team principal Frederic Vasseur, Ecclestone does not expect Hamilton to achieve his goal of an eighth title with the Scuderia.

One of Ecclestone’s main concerns is that Ferrari is likely to continue backing their current star driver, Charles Leclerc, over Hamilton. Leclerc, who has been with Ferrari for several years and has developed a close relationship with the team, is regarded as one of the most talented drivers on the grid. Ecclestone believes that Ferrari is unlikely to “dump” Leclerc in favor of Hamilton, especially considering Leclerc’s rapid rise within the team. “They will back Charles Leclerc. He’s quick and has grown up there. They won’t dump him for anyone,” Ecclestone said, adding that the team’s loyalty to Leclerc could make it difficult for Hamilton to secure the top position he craves.

Despite these challenges, Ecclestone does not view Hamilton’s decision to leave Mercedes as a mistake. He believes that Hamilton may have felt it was necessary to move on, either because Mercedes was no longer fully committed to his success or because he felt his time at the team had run its course. “Either he’s given up with them or they have given up on him,” Ecclestone noted, suggesting that the lack of continued support at Mercedes left Hamilton with little choice but to seek a new opportunity elsewhere. Moving to Ferrari, therefore, could be seen as a necessary step in Hamilton’s career, even if the path ahead is fraught with challenges.

As Hamilton prepares for his final races with Mercedes, including the upcoming events in Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi, he will be hoping to end his tenure with the team on a high note. This comes after a disappointing weekend at the Brazilian Grand Prix, where Hamilton struggled in qualifying, failing to make it out of Q1, and ended the race in 10th place. Despite these setbacks, Hamilton’s determination to prove himself and secure a strong finish to the season remains clear. His move to Ferrari represents a significant shift in both his career and the landscape of Formula 1, but whether it will lead to further success or be remembered as a misstep remains to be seen.