Bernie Ecclestone's Doubts Over Lewis Hamilton's Future at Ferrari
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Bernie Ecclestone doubts Lewis Hamilton’s future success at Ferrari, suggesting he won't last even two years, citing age, motivation issues, and team dynamics.
Former Formula 1 owner Bernie Ecclestone has cast doubt on Lewis Hamilton’s long-term future at Ferrari, suggesting that the seven-time World Champion won’t last even two years with the Scuderia. Ecclestone’s comments come as Hamilton embarks on a new chapter in his career, moving from Mercedes to Ferrari at the age of 40 with the aim of securing an unprecedented eighth Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship.
Hamilton's Pursuit of an Eighth World Championship
After an illustrious 12-season run with Mercedes, Hamilton has joined Ferrari in pursuit of a record-breaking eighth World Championship. The switch to Ferrari has sparked excitement among fans, particularly the Tifosi, who are eagerly awaiting Hamilton's debut with the team. With Hamilton now at the iconic Italian squad, the prospect of him becoming the most successful driver in F1 history looms large. However, Ecclestone has questioned whether Hamilton can succeed in this new environment.
Ecclestone’s ‘He Won’t Last’ Prediction
In an interview with the UK’s Telegraph, Bernie Ecclestone expressed skepticism about Hamilton’s future at Ferrari. He believes that despite Hamilton's incredible talent and success, the 40-year-old driver may struggle to maintain the motivation required for the challenge ahead.
“He won’t last that long,” Ecclestone stated. “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.”
The Challenge of Competing with Younger Talent
One of the key challenges Hamilton will face at Ferrari is the presence of his highly-rated teammate, Charles Leclerc. At 13 years younger than Hamilton, Leclerc is seen as one of the fastest and most promising drivers in the sport. Ecclestone’s concerns about Hamilton’s ability to fend off the competitive pressure from Leclerc are clear.
“It’s not the age with drivers, it’s how long they have been doing the same thing,” Ecclestone explained. “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.”
Team Dynamics and Ferrari's Focus on Leclerc
Another point raised by Ecclestone is the difference in team dynamics at Ferrari compared to Hamilton's long tenure at Mercedes. In contrast to the seniority Hamilton enjoyed at Mercedes, where he had a long-standing leadership role, Ecclestone predicts that Hamilton will not receive the same level of attention at Ferrari.
“The team is happy with Charles Leclerc, his team-mate,” Ecclestone added. “Leclerc speaks their language [Italian], 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 Critiques Hamilton’s Public Persona
Ecclestone has frequently criticized Hamilton in recent years, particularly his outspoken nature and his social media presence. In his view, Hamilton's off-track persona makes him “dislikeable” to some fans and detracts from his racing achievements.
“Lewis gets himself up front in a way where you can dislike him,” Ecclestone said. “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. He has a lot of talent as a driver. As much as people credit him with? No, but still enough to win races. I don’t know why he does all this other nonsense. He needs to get out of the music business and whatever else.”
Hamilton Responds to Ecclestone's Remarks
Hamilton has been vocal about his views on Ecclestone’s comments in the past, particularly in relation to his outspoken support for Russian President Vladimir Putin, which Ecclestone has publicly expressed. Hamilton strongly disagreed with Ecclestone’s position, calling it “beyond me.” The two have had their differences in recent years, with Hamilton criticizing Ecclestone’s political views and his support for actions that Hamilton finds troubling.
“We don’t need any more of it, to hear from someone that believes in the war, and the displacement of people and killing of people, and supporting that person (Putin) is beyond me,” Hamilton said. “I cannot believe I heard that.”
Looking Ahead to Hamilton's Ferrari Challenge
As the 2025 Formula 1 season approaches, all eyes will be on Lewis Hamilton as he takes on the challenge of driving for Ferrari. With a competitive field and a strong teammate in Leclerc, Hamilton's quest for an eighth World Championship will be anything but easy. Only time will tell if he can overcome the obstacles that lie ahead and prove Ecclestone wrong about his ability to thrive at Ferrari.
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