Lewis Hamilton given 'last chance' at Ferrari says....

Lewis Hamilton given ‘last chance’ at Ferrari says…. read more

Former Ferrari president Luca Di Montezemolo believes Lewis Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari marks the seven-time world champion’s final opportunity to win another Formula 1 title. Di Montezemolo made these remarks while attending the Bahrain Grand Prix, where he voiced his disappointment with Ferrari’s uninspiring start to the 2025 season, accusing the team of lacking strong leadership and passion.

The 77-year-old, who led Ferrari during its golden years with Michael Schumacher, also shared his thoughts on Mercedes’ rising Italian talent, Kimi Antonelli. He expressed regret that Antonelli didn’t go to Sauber first—traditionally a stepping stone to Ferrari—before making the leap to a top team. Di Montezemolo appeared to suggest that Ferrari missed a chance to nurture a future star in Antonelli, who has taken Hamilton’s former spot at Mercedes.

Discussing Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari, Di Montezemolo told Sky Sports Italia, “Hamilton is a great champion and a part of Formula 1 history. He knows this is his last chance. He came to Ferrari to win and to finish his career on a high.”

Hamilton’s start to life at Ferrari has been a mixed affair. In the opening four races of the 2025 season, he has seen both highs and lows—securing a sprint race win but also suffering a disqualification during the same weekend in Shanghai. The British driver had high hopes for recent upgrades introduced at the Bahrain Grand Prix, but a disappointing P9 in qualifying saw him frustrated once again, delivering a terse interview reminiscent of his late-Mercedes frustrations.

Despite finishing fifth in the Bahrain race and acknowledging he needed to improve personally, Hamilton did find some encouragement in Ferrari’s new upgrades, describing them as “positive.” Nevertheless, the team’s overall performance still lags behind rivals, particularly McLaren, who have emerged as the dominant force this season. Oscar Piastri’s impressive win in Bahrain reinforced McLaren’s superiority, leaving Ferrari to play catch-up.

Hamilton’s chances of securing an eighth world title already appear slim just four races into the season. He currently trails championship leader Lando Norris by 52 points and has also struggled to match his teammate Charles Leclerc’s pace, both in qualifying and race results. Although Hamilton remains optimistic and determined, the pressure is mounting quickly. If Ferrari cannot provide him with a consistently competitive car soon, Di Montezemolo’s warning that this could be Hamilton’s last realistic title shot may prove

prophetic.