Will Lewis Hamilton win his bet by winning an eighth Formula 1 world championship title with Ferrari? Nothing is less certain…
Iconic former Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone is skeptical about Lewis Hamilton's chances of success at Ferrari in 2025.
Although the move has sparked excitement among fans of the seven-time world champion and Scuderia enthusiasts, Ecclestone believes Hamilton could face unexpected obstacles within his new team.
A highly anticipated but complex transfer
Since joining Mercedes in 2013, Lewis Hamilton has built a successful career. This move to Ferrari for the 2025 F1 season represents one of the most anticipated transfers in recent years, and the Tifosi, fervent Ferrari supporters, can't wait to see the Briton don the iconic red colors.
However, Ecclestone, who ruled F1 for several decades, warns that this new adventure will not be without challenges for Hamilton. He believes that Hamilton will have to deal with the presence of Charles Leclerc, the young Monegasque prodigy, who is considered the darling of the Scuderia.
According to him, the team would be more inclined to support Leclerc, who grew up at Ferrari and has a strong link with the Italian manufacturer.
“I don't think it will be easy for Lewis. Especially in this team. They will support Charles Leclerc. He is fast and has grown in this team. They will not replace him with anyone else” confie Ecclestone.
An influential choice for John Elkann
Ecclestone suggests that Hamilton's arrival would mainly be a personal decision of John Elkann, president of Ferrari. This prestigious transfer would have a symbolic dimension for Elkann, aiming to recruit one of the most successful drivers in history.
“For John Elkann, it was a question of ego. He thought he had recruited the best pilot the world had ever seen”
explains Ecclestone, who wonders if Elkann is still happy with his initial choice.
A collaboration under high tension
Despite the excitement surrounding this transfer, Ecclestone expresses doubts about the sustainability of this union between Hamilton and Ferrari: “If Lewis weakens, which I don’t like to see, he will have to go and do something else.”
Hamilton's future within the Scuderia will therefore largely depend on his ability to adapt and compete with Leclerc in an environment that may not be favorable to him.
