Lewis Hamilton was warned ahead of his move to Ferrari next season by former F1 supremo. Bernie Ecclestone shared his opinions on Ferrari signing F1’s most decorated driver to pair with Charles Leclerc in 2025. The controversial F1 figure raised questions about Lewis Hamilton’s recent performances and also had advice for him.
Hamilton endured a torrid time in his ‘home’ race in Brazil. The 105 Grand Prix winner could only muster an 11th placed finish in the sprint race and a 10th position in the main race.
Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari's John Elkann at F1 Grand Prix of Tuscany – Source: Getty
Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari’s John Elkann at F1 Grand Prix of Tuscany – Source:
Speaking about Hamilton’s recent form and comments about his Mercedes car, Bernie Ecclestone labeled the 7-time champion’s Ferrari switch as an ego booster for CEO John Elkann.
Bernie Ecclestone said: (Quotes via Dailymail.com)
“For John Elkann, it was a question of ego. He thought he had signed the best guy the world had ever seen. When he signed him there was nothing to indicate he was wrong in that assessment. Whether he is still happy with it is another story. Only time will tell.”
He went on to add,
“If Lewis is fading away, which I don’t like to see, he should go away and do something else and do a good job at it.”
Unlike Ecclestone, Red Bull boss feels Lewis Hamilton is jumping ship to Ferrari at the “right time”
Bernie Ecclestone and Christian Horner have often maintained a close relationship. However, the duo had contrasting opinions about Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari switch, with Horner showing more optimism about it.
Hamilton has certainly not enjoyed his Mercedes stint in the last few years, with the superstar driver calling out his team and car several times. However, Christian Horner could be keeping close tabs on Hamilton’s Ferrari switch.
Horner told TalkSport:
“It will be very interesting to see how Lewis acclimatises to life at Ferrari. He’s obviously coming out of a very comfortable environment, one that he knows very well over the last 10 years, or more than 10 years. So that’ll be a change for him.
The Red Bull boss also stated,
“Charles Leclerc is another very fast driver. But you know, Ferrari is a team that looks like they’re picking momentum up, so for sure a driver of Lewis’s quality is always going to be a challenger.
“And I think, Ferrari, he could be just jumping at the right time.
Horner further expressed that it will be “fascinating” to see how the boy from Stevenage adjusts and performs in the Maranello team. After 2 years, Hamilton finally tasted victory twice this season at Silverstone and Spa. And with Ferrari’s positive development over the last few weeks, can Hamilton finally break Ferrari’s title draught in 2025?
Edited by Tanmay Khanna