Last Updated on February 8 2025, 7:48 pm
Bernie Ecclestone predicts short Ferrari stint for Hamilton: “He won’t last that long” – Bernie Ecclestone has never been shy about speaking his mind, and his views on Lewis Hamilton have long been less than flattering. In a recent interview with The Telegraph, the former Formula One supremo cast doubt on Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, predicting that the seven-time world champion would not last long at the iconic Italian outfit.
As well as questioning Hamilton’s motivation, Ecclestone also believes his talent has been overestimated. With Hamilton fulfilling his long-held dream of driving for Ferrari, the mood around Maranello is overwhelmingly optimistic. The fans are excited, the team is eager and expectations are high. But Ecclestone remains sceptical, suggesting that the British driver will struggle to succeed and may not even complete his contract with the Scuderia.
Ferrari’s loyalty to Leclerc
Ecclestone’s main argument revolves around Ferrari’s existing commitment to Charles Leclerc. The 93-year-old believes that despite Hamilton’s pedigree, the team will not give him the level of attention and support he enjoyed at Mercedes.
“I don’t think Lewis will get the same attention at Ferrari,” Ecclestone remarked. He suggested that Leclerc, who will be part of the Ferrari family from 2019, will continue to be a priority for the team.
“The team is happy with Charles Leclerc. Leclerc speaks their language, so they will take care of him.”
This linguistic and cultural link between Leclerc and the Italian outfit, Ecclestone argues, will give the Monegasque driver an edge over Hamilton, who is entering unfamiliar territory.
Ecclestone also believes that Hamilton’s sudden arrival could cause tension within the team.
“Even if Lewis does well, there will still be a lot of enemies because he has arrived suddenly,” he said. The dynamic within Ferrari has largely revolved around Leclerc, and the addition of a strong personality like Hamilton could cause friction.
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The longevity debate: Age vs. experience
One of the most intriguing aspects of Ecclestone’s argument is his take on Hamilton’s longevity in F1. While many have debated whether age is a factor in the Briton’s continued success, Ecclestone offers a different perspective.
“I have a theory about it,” he explained. “It’s not the age of the drivers, it’s how long they’ve been doing the same thing.”
Hamilton has been in F1 since 2007 and, according to Ecclestone, that longevity could be working against him. Unlike younger drivers who are still building their legacies, Hamilton has already secured his place in history with seven world championships to his name. Ecclestone suggests this could lead to a natural decline in hunger and motivation.
Hamilton’s motivation questioned
Hamilton has often spoken of his relentless drive to succeed, but Ecclestone remains unconvinced. He believes that after so many years at the top, the British driver may no longer have the same fire that fuelled his early success.
“I thought with Lewis he was getting tired, he had lost his motivation,” Ecclestone bluntly stated.
He goes on to argue that if Hamilton had never won a world championship, his desire to reach that milestone would have kept him going. But with seven titles to his name, Ecclestone suggests that the urgency to win may have diminished.
“If he had never won a world championship, maybe it would be different because there would still be the motivation to win one. But he has won seven.”
This leads Ecclestone to predict that Hamilton’s tenure at Ferrari will be short-lived.
“He won’t last that long,” he confidently claimed, despite Hamilton having signed a multi-year contract with the team.
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Doubts over Ferrari’s decision
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was largely influenced by Piero Ferrari, the company’s vice-chairman and son of founder Enzo Ferrari. Ecclestone acknowledges this, but questions whether it was the right decision for the team.
“Piero Ferrari, who brought him into the team, still thinks they did the right thing. I hope they did. I hope they didn’t just jump in and end up wishing they hadn’t”.
Ferrari’s decision to sign Hamilton signals their ambition to return to title-winning form, but Ecclestone remains sceptical that the partnership will deliver the success both parties desire.
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Hamilton’s off-track persona: A distraction?
Aside from his driving abilities, Ecclestone has long been critical of Hamilton’s off-track activities. The seven-time champion is known for his ventures into fashion, activism and music, as well as his outspoken presence on social issues. For Ecclestone, these distractions are unnecessary and detract from what should be his primary focus – racing.
“I don’t know why he’s doing all this other nonsense,” Ecclestone remarked.
He went on to criticise Hamilton’s highly publicised lifestyle and personal expression, including his fashion choices.
“He puts himself out there so much you can’t help but dislike him. How someone with a couple of world titles and some money in the bank can dress like that… I’m not a fan of it.”
While many admire Hamilton’s efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in motorsport, Ecclestone sees them as a distraction from his main job as a driver.
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Is Hamilton overrated?
Perhaps Ecclestone’s most pointed remark comes in his assessment of Hamilton’s actual driving ability. While acknowledging that Hamilton has talent, he questions whether it has been exaggerated.
“He has a lot of talent as a driver. As much as people say he has? I don’t think so, but enough to win races.”
It is a sentiment Ecclestone has expressed before, often attributing his success to Mercedes’ dominance rather than Hamilton’s individual brilliance. His view is in line with critics who argue that Hamilton has benefited from having the best car on the grid for most of his career.
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Final thoughts: A rocky road ahead for Hamilton?
Ecclestone’s scepticism about Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is based on several factors: his belief that Leclerc will remain the team’s priority, his doubts about Hamilton’s motivation and his long-held view that Hamilton is not as exceptional as many claim.
While Hamilton and Ferrari fans remain optimistic about this high-profile partnership, Ecclestone’s comments are a reminder of the challenges ahead. Whether his predictions come true remains to be seen, but if history is any guide, Hamilton will be keen to prove his doubters wrong – Ecclestone included.
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The fact that we’re talking about Hamilton and not Ecclestone is what grates Bernie’s nerves so best ignore him. Building F1 up to the huge spectacle it now is should have been his legacy, not his pathetic attempts to still be the main man.
Should Bernie be allowed out naming v comments without his carer?
This vile little piglet of a man quite obviously is very protective of Schumachers ‘legacy’ and doesn’t want Lewis to surpass it and better him well it’s too late for that Bernie, “I say, it’s too late….”