Former Ferrari chief criticizes Lewis Hamilton’s late signing as a mistake
The Formula 1 world is abuzz with former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto’s scathing remarks about Lewis Hamilton’s tumultuous start to the 2025 season with the Italian team. Binotto, who led Ferrari from 2019 to 2022 and now serves as the Sauber CTO, did not hold back in his assessment of the seven-time world champion’s struggles to adapt to the Ferrari machinery following his move from Mercedes.
Binotto pointed out Hamilton’s age as a significant factor contributing to his difficulties on the track. Despite Ferrari currently holding the second spot in the constructors’ standings, Binotto expressed dissatisfaction with the team’s performance, emphasizing that improvements are imperative to achieve success this season.
The former Ferrari chief did not mince his words when he suggested that Ferrari made a grave error by signing Hamilton “at the end of his career,” implying that the ideal timing for the partnership would have been a few years earlier. Hamilton’s frustration with his performance was evident after the Spanish Grand Prix, where he admitted to having a “terrible” and “difficult day.”
Although Hamilton managed to secure a victory at the Chinese sprint race, he has struggled to replicate that success in the main races, currently languishing in sixth place in the drivers’ standings. His teammate, Charles Leclerc, has outperformed him consistently, further highlighting Hamilton’s challenges in adapting to the Ferrari SF25.
As the Formula 1 season unfolds, all eyes are on Hamilton and Ferrari, waiting to see if they can overcome their current setbacks and deliver the results expected of a legendary driver and a prestigious team. The road ahead seems arduous, but with Hamilton’s determination and Ferrari’s expertise, there’s still hope for a triumphant turnaround in the races to come.
