The Formula 1 world is buzzing about Lewis Hamilton’s blockbuster switch to Ferrari in 2025, but Bernie Ecclestone isn’t convinced—and he’s making that crystal clear.
The 94-year-old former F1 boss, never shy about his disdain for Hamilton, has delivered a brutally skeptical take on how the seven-time world champion will fare in the sport’s most iconic team.
“I don’t think Lewis will get the same attention at Ferrari,” Ecclestone told The Telegraph.
“Firstly, the team are happy with Charles Leclerc. He speaks their language, so they’ll be looking after him. Even if Lewis does well, there’ll still be a lot of enemies because he has suddenly arrived.”
Ecclestone’s main argument? Ferrari is Leclerc’s team, and Hamilton, despite his legendary resume, may struggle to command the same influence he had at Mercedes.
But that’s just the beginning of Ecclestone’s skepticism.
Ecclestone: Hamilton Is ‘Getting Tired’ & Lacks Motivation
While Hamilton turned 40 this year, Ecclestone doesn’t believe age is the issue—he believes the problem is burnout.
“It’s not the age with drivers, it’s how long they have been doing the same thing.”
“I have thought with Lewis, ‘He’s getting tired. He has lost motivation.’ 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 suggests that Hamilton has nothing left to prove, making his hunger for success at Ferrari questionable.
And if that wasn’t controversial enough, he boldly predicts that Hamilton won’t even finish his Ferrari contract.
“He won’t last that long.”
A failed Hamilton-Ferrari experiment? Ecclestone is one of the few willing to say it out loud before the Brit has even turned a wheel in red.
Does Ferrari Know What It’s Doing? Ecclestone Has His Doubts
Ecclestone singled out Piero Ferrari, a key figure in bringing Hamilton to Maranello, questioning whether the legendary brand may have rushed into a move they’ll regret.
“Piero Ferrari, who has taken him there, still thinks they’ve done the right thing. I hope they have. I hope they haven’t just jumped in and end up wishing they hadn’t.”
Ferrari fans have high hopes, but Ecclestone seems to suggest they should temper their expectations.
‘I’m Not a Fan of That’ – Ecclestone Takes Aim at Hamilton’s Persona
Hamilton is arguably F1’s most marketable star, but Ecclestone doesn’t buy into his brand appeal—in fact, he finds it off-putting.
“Lewis gets himself up front in a way where you can dislike him. How a guy who has won a few world titles and has a few dollars in the bank can dress the way he dresses… I’m not a fan of that.”
Beyond his bold fashion choices, Ecclestone also ridiculed Hamilton’s outside ventures, including his music interests.
“I don’t know why he does all this other nonsense. He needs to get out of the music business and whatever else.”
While most of the world sees Hamilton as a global superstar, Ecclestone views him as a distraction to himself—and not the relentless racer Ferrari needs.
Can Hamilton Prove Him Wrong?
Despite Ecclestone’s harsh skepticism, Hamilton heads into 2025 with a clear goal—to deliver Ferrari’s first F1 title since 2007 and finally secure an eighth championship to surpass Michael Schumacher.
But the challenges are clear:
🏎️ Ferrari is Leclerc’s team – Can Hamilton carve out his own leadership role?
⚡ Has he lost his edge? – Or will Ferrari reinvigorate him?
⏳ Is time running out? – Can he win in what could be his final years in F1?
Hamilton has defied critics before, and if he makes Ferrari a winner again, it will be his biggest achievement yet.
