Ecclestone's dire prediction: Hamilton 'won't last' at Ferrari

02/09/2025 06:47 AM

Few in Formula 1 speak their minds as freely as Bernie Ecclestone, and the 94-year-old former supremo is at it again, this time offering a rather bleak forecast for Lewis Hamilton's long-anticipated Ferrari endeavor. 

With his usual mix of bluntness and eyebrow-raising opinions, Ecclestone declares Hamilton's scarlet switcheroo a recipe for… well, not disaster exactly, but definitely not a fairytale ending either.

Hamilton's shock switch from Mercedes to Ferrari for 2025 is expected to be a blockbuster moment, but Ecclestone isn't buying into the hype. In fact, he's already predicting an early exit for the seven-time world champion.

A Political Minefield

Speaking to The Telegraph with the kind of candor that only comes after decades ruling the F1 roost, Bernie didn't just express doubt; he laid down a prediction as firm as a Monza kerb.

"I don't think Lewis will get the same attention at Ferrari," he began, setting the stage for his downbeat assessment.

"Firstly, the team are happy with Charles Leclerc, his team-mate. Leclerc 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."

In other words, Ecclestone sees Hamilton walking into a political minefield, where his glitzy persona and British roots might not mesh well with Maranello's deep-rooted Italian traditions.

Leclerc, the Monegasque golden boy, already has the home advantage – and, according to Bernie, that's a problem.

Age or Exhaustion?

Hamilton turned 40 last month, but Ecclestone dismisses the idea that age itself is the issue.

"I have my theory about this. It's not the age with drivers, it's how long they have been doing the same thing," he said.

"I have thought with Lewis: 'He's getting tired. He has lost motivation.'"

Cue the gasps from Hamilton fans. But Bernie doubled down, suggesting the hunger just isn't there anymore.

"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."

Translation? Hamilton's trophy cabinet is full, and Ecclestone believes that when the going gets tough at Ferrari, the motivation to stick it out just won't be there.

Looking ahead, Ferrari's plan is for Hamilton to race in red for at least two seasons. Ecclestone, however, has his doubts.

"He won't last that long," he predicted. "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 implication? Hamilton's arrival could be more of a headache than a solution for Ferrari. And if things don't click, Bernie suspects regret will come knocking quickly.

Fashion, Fame, and… Frustration?

Of course, it wouldn't be an Ecclestone interview without a dig at Hamilton's off-track image. The billionaire mogul, never one to shy away from controversy, took a swipe at the Briton's public persona.

"Lewis gets himself up front in a way where you can dislike him," he argued.

"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."

But the critique didn't stop at wardrobe choices. Ecclestone suggested Hamilton is distracting himself with unnecessary ventures.

"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."

So, there you have it: Bernie Ecclestone, as unfiltered as ever. While many see Hamilton's Ferrari move as a thrilling new chapter, the man who built Formula 1 into the global behemoth it is today is already predicting turbulence.

Whether Hamilton proves him wrong or validates his skepticism, one thing is certain – Formula 1's elder statesman will be watching, arms folded, waiting to say, "I told you so."

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