Former F1 supremo, Bernie Ecclestone doesn't believe Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari will prove a success.

Ever the controversial figure, one should not forget that the 94-year-old has been there for the entire history of the Formula One World Championship, not only as the supremo, but as a driver manager and team owner, he has seen and known all the greats.

However, speaking to the Daily Telegraph, he predicts that Hamilton's controversial move to Maranello will not have the fairy-tale ending the sport is hoping for.

"I don't think Lewis will get the same attention at Ferrari," he said. "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," he added, aware of the Machiavellian nature not only of the Maranello team but the entire sport.

Indeed, though (outwardly) Ferrari does not appear to be as (internally) political as it used to be, certainly compared to the time of the 'men in suits' who dominated the team in the aftermath of Enzo Ferrari's death, Ecclestone believes that politics, together with a lack of motivation, will hamper Hamilton's progress within the team.

"I have my theory about this," he said of the driver, who turned 40 last month. "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."

Referring to the fact that the Briton's deal is understood to be for a minimum of two years, Ecclestone said: "He won't last that long. 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."

Though he has a keen, dry sense of humour that is often misunderstood, over the years Ecclestone has admittedly made numerous gaffes and his suggestion that Hamilton is his own worst enemy won't help.

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

"He has a lot of talent as a driver, as much as people credit him with? No, but still enough to win races."

Finally, Bernie took a swipe at the various off-track activities the seven-time world champion is involved in.

"I don't know why he does all this other nonsense. He needs to get out of the music business and whatever else."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Geeza1966, 15/02/2025 23:45

"Well kenji, I am a firm believer of if its not broken, then don't fix it. Ever since 1994 and the death of Ratzenberger and Senna, the cars/engines/formula has pretty well been sanitized a little more each year as the cars were too fast and not considered safe enough to boot. This was certainly necessary due to the performance versus safety that the cars were able to deliver..... But F1 has always attracted the cream of the engineering fraternity and the downforce/power output lost each year/regulation cycle was soon found again. The safety element has been the most important element in my view and we should never prioritize form over function where safety is concerned. The engines went from 3.5ltr V10's to 3ltr then down to 2.4ltr V8's from memory, and then onto the current V6 turbocharged hybrid units etc etc.... Cars to long, wide, and heavy so on and so forth. Why could we not have kept the 2.4ltr V8's with Hybrid on too?? And then tweak the chassis regs to suit?? They would probably be the thick end of 250kgs lighter, more nimble, produce the engine note that we all probably (secretly) fell in love with as this was "Real F1", and be much more cost effective compared to the design and ongoing development of the current PU's which no doubt has contributed massively to the cost cap's introduction too. And if we now look at the amount of Hybrid road cars that are becoming much more prevalent and popular compared to fully electric versions, this also ticks the "Road Relevance "box too. Consider Hamilton's title winning MP4-23 from 2008... It weighed in at 605kgs!! 4600mm long (approx) and only 1800mm wide...What a machine that was.... I just feel that sometimes, people/companies/institutions etc make change for change's sake... Just to make it seen that they are doing something, if anything at all. As 10cc famously said, "Art for Art's sake.... Money for Gods sake..." Cheers mate, always good to chat..."

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2. Posted by kenji, 15/02/2025 1:35

"@ Geeza1966.... BE's comments re 'hybrids' simply reflected the thoughts of what many people shared around the paddock. Whilst the 'hybrids' were/are a simply stunning piece of engineering novelty they were, IMHO, overkill in a world of unhinged doomsday purveyors. Yes, we all need to clean up our act if it can be done in such a manner that avoids ideology above cost benefit. The fact was/is that as a unique source F1 could well have pioneered simpler technology for a similar result. I am a believer in engineering simplicity over complexity every time."

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3. Posted by Geeza1966, 13/02/2025 23:46

"Take your point kenji, what about the current Turbo-Hybrid stuff?? Lol.."

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4. Posted by kenji, 13/02/2025 13:29

"@ Geeza1966...personally I didn't mind the single lap shoot out at all. What it did was to build great tension and punished mistakes brutally. It also took away the surreptitious 'tow',the 'blocking manouevres and the opportunity for team orders to be implemented. So, on reflection, the shoot out wasn't bad at all."

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5. Posted by Geeza1966, 12/02/2025 5:20

"Well Bernie never stopped short of a bit of controversy back in the day when it came to making his feelings felt... He did a huge amount for F1 but I will also hasten to add that he hung on for too long in my opinion... And some of his decision making also lays bear the dictatorial slur that used to run through the sport a few years back.... He has been wrong about many things before (Single lap shoot-out qualifying & the current Hybrid Formula for just 2 things in my opinion) but I too really hope that Lewis raises the bar for both himself and other drivers that are already in, or approaching their 4th decade. You don't lose either the talent or the competitive edge that both Hamilton and Alonso have honed over the years of competing at the front of the grid... But you do need determination, bottle, focus and a quick car. Lets hope that this season we see this from as many standpoints as possible. 2025 could be a stella year for us all!!! Here's hoping everyone...."

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6. Posted by kenji, 11/02/2025 1:35

"@ Chester...likewise. So many 'ageist negatives ' here! Bernie's opinions are as valid as anyones. I'm hoping that Leclerc can rise to the occasion and challenge for the title.

"

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7. Posted by Chester, 10/02/2025 20:59

"I like Bernie. He's done much and seen much in F1. His comments always elicit a chuckle or two from me. "

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8. Posted by dejan, 10/02/2025 20:22

"None of the teams have turned a timed lap in the 2025 cars and and old man is rambling about what could happen.

This is why sport has such a following - because it's so hard to predict and sometimes the personal drive of someone determines the outcome"

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9. Posted by Ricardo_sanchez, 10/02/2025 14:11

"Ecclestone’s remarks here feel less like objective analysis and more like the grumblings of an old man who no longer holds sway over the sport and resents much of what Hamilton represents. It’s particularly ironic given that Hamilton’s move to Ferrari - one of the most financially rewarding in F1 history - is exactly the kind of lucrative deal Ecclestone himself would have championed in his prime.

But regardless of how successful this partnership is in terms of wins and championships, it’s almost a no-lose situation for Hamilton. He gets to drive for the most iconic team in F1 as he nears the end of his career, he secures a huge payday in the process, and if things don’t go to plan, the narrative will be that age caught up with him, politics intervened, or that Leclerc is simply a great talent who had the upper hand. Either way, after seven world titles, Hamilton has nothing left to prove. "

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10. Posted by Wokingchap, 10/02/2025 12:19

"Many of us think Lewis may not get his 8th title and his racing in red will be a flop, but i hope he succeeds. "

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11. Posted by kenji, 10/02/2025 10:56

"Well they call me the breeze. That's the Bernie we all love, just tell it how you see it."

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12. Posted by Burton, 10/02/2025 10:51

"Certain outfits (not Pitpass) have used the '26 regs to try to argue Hamilton is repeating the Mercedes switch masterstroke, because they have clickbait column inches to fill... I never looked at this from a competitive angle, Lewis wants to drive for Ferrari before he retires, so he's doing it. He has eyes like the rest of us, he knows it's a basket case in Maranello.

As for the fashion sense dig, very funny coming from the guy with a mop on his head."

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He's lost the hunger, says Ecclestone of Hamilton

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