14/08/2025 12:55
Former F1 owner Bernie Ecclestone has questioned if Ferrari made
the "right decision" signing Lewis Hamilton, deeming the Briton as
a "bit political". Hamilton announced ahead of last season that he
would be joining Ferrari for 2025 on a multi-year contract;
however, he has experienced a rocky start to life in red.
Adjusting to how the Maranello-based outfit works and how to
extract performance from the SF-25 has proven difficult for the
seven-time world champion, who is still chasing a first podium for
Ferrari. Whilst he achieved a Sprint pole and sprint victory in
Shanghai, a grand prix pole or podium is yet to be achieved after
14 races for the Scuderia. So much is different for the
40-year-old at Ferrari, compared to what he became so accustomed to
over his 12-year stint with Mercedes. Communication breakdowns
with his race engineer were heard early in the year, whilst he
declared himself as being "useless" following a Q2 exit in
Hungary. Ecclestone is hopeful the 105-time race winner can
rediscover his very best form to turn his Ferrari move around, but
is unsure if the correct decision was made in signing Hamilton in
the first place. "It is quite incredible," Ecclestone told F1
destinations . "Ferrari worked well under the leadership of Jean
Todt, when he brought Michael and many other personnel from
Benetton. "At the moment, I cannot say anything negative about the
Italian staff working for Ferrari, but I think the team needs
someone to take charge, find the right direction and get the job
done. "I am not sure that taking Lewis [Hamilton] was the right
decision. Lewis is obviously talented, but a little bit political,
which is typical for Ferrari and typical for him. "But he could
come to life again which would be good for him and good for
Ferrari."
