Lewis Hamilton Told He'll ‘Never Win' F1 Title With Ferrari By Ex-F1 Boss
Lewis Hamilton's dream of conquering F1 with Ferrari just took a brutal hit and it came from the sport's most powerful old guard.
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Speaking to Sky Sports at the Austrian Grand Prix, former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone didn't mince words when asked if Hamilton could ever capture an eighth world title with Ferrari. The 94-year-old, who ran F1 for decades and helped build it into the global circus, gave a blunt one-word statement: 'No.'
It was a stinging verdict, but Ecclestone didn't stop there. He suggested Hamilton's earlier success owed much to a lack of serious rivals, a clear dig at his dominant years with Mercedes.
'I think he was fortunate enough to be around when… firstly there wasn't so much competition, so it was a little bit easier,' Ecclestone explained. 'Now he's got competitors, which when he was winning everything, he didn't have too many people at the top of the tree.'
Lewis Hamilton during the 2025 Miami GP.Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Hamilton, who made the shock switch from Mercedes to Ferrari this season, has endured a rocky start in red. Despite massive preseason hype, he's yet to score a podium in 2025.
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His brightest moment came with a sprint race win in China, but otherwise he's struggled to match the pace of teammate Charles Leclerc.
After finishing behind Leclerc yet again in Austria, Hamilton admitted his performance simply wasn't 'good enough,' even as Ferrari sits third in the constructors' standings.
Ecclestone, who was in Austria and presented winner Lando Norris with his medal, has often taken aim at the seven-time world champion's off-track interests and lifestyle. This latest remark is another reminder that Hamilton faces immense pressure to deliver at Ferrari.
Whether the seven-time can silence critics and finally break Michael Schumacher's record with Ferrari remains one of F1's most compelling storylines. For now, though, it's clear not everyone believes in the fairytale.
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Related: Max Verstappen's Red Bull Exit Clause Sparks $136 Million Mercedes Buzz
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
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