Lewis Hamilton ‘tired and unmotivated’ theory as ‘he won’t last’ verdict made
Lewis Hamilton’s shocking move to Ferrari has sent waves through the Formula 1 world. After 12 years of dominance with Mercedes, the seven-time world champion has taken on a new challenge—one that could define his legacy. But not everyone is convinced that Hamilton’s time at Ferrari will be successful. Former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has made a damning prediction: Hamilton “won’t last” even two years at the legendary Italian team.
A Risky Move at 40
Hamilton’s decision to leave Mercedes and join Ferrari at the age of 40 has sparked both excitement and skepticism. With the Brit chasing an unprecedented eighth Drivers’ World Championship, many see this as a bold attempt to cement his place in F1 history. But history is against him—only three drivers have ever won an F1 title after turning 40, with the last being Sir Jack Brabham in 1966.
Ecclestone, who has been a vocal critic of Hamilton in the past, believes the move is doomed to fail. “He won’t last that long,” the 94-year-old told The Telegraph. He even suggested that Ferrari’s decision to sign Hamilton may backfire. “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.”
Lack of Motivation? Ecclestone Questions Hamilton’s Drive
One of Ecclestone’s biggest concerns is Hamilton’s motivation. The British driver has already achieved everything in the sport—seven world titles, 103 race wins, and the most pole positions in history. Ecclestone believes this success could now work against him.
“I have my theory about this. It’s not the age with drivers, it’s how long they have been doing the same thing,” Ecclestone explained. “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.”
This theory raises serious questions about Hamilton’s hunger for success. Is he truly committed to fighting for another title, or is he simply looking for one last adventure before retirement?
The Leclerc Factor: Ferrari’s True Favorite?
Even if Hamilton is still motivated, he faces a massive internal challenge—Charles Leclerc. The 26-year-old Monegasque is widely regarded as a future world champion and has been Ferrari’s golden boy since 2019. Unlike Hamilton, Leclerc has time on his side, and many believe he will be prioritized within the team.
Ecclestone hinted that Hamilton might struggle to assert himself as the team leader at Ferrari. “The team is happy with Charles Leclerc. He speaks their language [Italian], 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.”
At Mercedes, Hamilton enjoyed seniority over his teammates, particularly after Nico Rosberg’s shock retirement in 2016. But at Ferrari, he enters unfamiliar territory, with a younger and equally hungry driver standing in his way. Will he be given equal treatment, or will Leclerc’s deep ties with the team create a political battle within Ferrari?
A Harsh Reality Check: Ferrari Is No Mercedes
Hamilton’s dominance at Mercedes came with stability—he had the full support of the team and engineers who tailored the car to his driving style. But Ferrari is notoriously unpredictable. The Scuderia has not won a Drivers’ Championship since 2007, and internal politics have derailed several title campaigns over the years.
Unlike Mercedes, where Hamilton enjoyed a strong influence over the team’s direction, Ferrari operates differently. Ecclestone believes Hamilton will struggle to get the same level of backing. “At Mercedes, Lewis had a lot of power. But at Ferrari? I don’t think they will put everything behind him.”
If Ferrari fails to deliver a competitive car, will Hamilton have the patience to endure the struggles? Or will frustration push him toward an early exit?
Ecclestone’s Brutal Critique: Hamilton’s Image Problem
Beyond racing, Ecclestone has also criticized Hamilton’s persona, suggesting that his outspoken nature and fashion choices make him “dislikeable.”
“Lewis gets himself up front in a way where you can dislike him,” Ecclestone claimed. “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.”
Hamilton has been one of F1’s most vocal figures on social issues, including diversity, environmental activism, and human rights. While many fans admire his advocacy, Ecclestone believes it is a distraction. “He has a lot of talent as a driver. As much as people credit him with? No, but still enough to win races. I don’t know why he does all this other nonsense. He needs to get out of the music business and whatever else.”
These remarks are not new—Ecclestone has taken jabs at Hamilton for years. But his comments highlight a lingering perception among traditional F1 figures that Hamilton’s off-track activities could hurt his focus on racing.
Hamilton vs. Ecclestone: A Long-Standing Feud
Hamilton has never shied away from clapping back at Ecclestone. Most notably, he condemned Ecclestone’s past comments supporting Russian president Vladimir Putin amid the Ukraine war.
“We don’t need any more of it, to hear from someone that believes in the war, and the displacement of people and killing of people, and supporting that person (Putin) is beyond me,” Hamilton said. “I cannot believe I heard that.”
This long-standing clash between the two shows no signs of stopping. As Hamilton enters this crucial phase of his career, will he silence his critics, or will Ecclestone’s predictions prove accurate?
Final Verdict: A Make-or-Break Move
Hamilton’s Ferrari chapter is one of the most exciting yet unpredictable storylines in modern F1. If he succeeds, he will cement his status as the greatest driver in history. But if Ecclestone’s grim prophecy comes true, this could mark the beginning of the end for Hamilton’s legendary career.
Will he adapt and thrive at Ferrari? Or is he setting himself up for failure? The 2025 season will provide the answers.
