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."

LATEST NEWS

more news >

LATEST IMAGES

galleries >

Click to go to the main galleries section

READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Chester, 4 hours ago

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

Rating: Negative (-1) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

2. Posted by dejan, 5 hours ago

"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"

Rating: Positive (1) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

3. Posted by Ricardo_sanchez, 11 hours ago

"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. "

Rating: Positive (5) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

4. Posted by Wokingchap, 13 hours ago

"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. "

Rating: Positive (4) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

5. Posted by kenji, 14 hours ago

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

Rating: Positive (1) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

6. Posted by Burton, 14 hours ago

"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."

Rating: Positive (4) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

He's lost the hunger, says Ecclestone of Hamilton

LATEST NEWS

RELATED ARTICLES

LATEST IMAGES

POST A COMMENT

Post your comment

READERS COMMENTS

Share this page