Binotto Suggests Hamilton Joined Ferrari Too Late as Struggles Continue
Former Ferrari Formula 1 team principal Mattia Binotto has shared a candid view on Lewis Hamilton’s recent struggles since joining Ferrari, suggesting the seven-time world champion is nearing the twilight of his career. Binotto, who led the Scuderia between 2019 and 2022, believes the iconic Italian outfit may have brought Hamilton on board too late to truly benefit from his championship-winning pedigree.
Hamilton made headlines earlier this year when he made the dramatic switch from Mercedes to Ferrari after a 12-year stint with the Silver Arrows. The move, confirmed in January, was widely celebrated as a dream pairing — the sport’s most successful driver joining F1’s most historic team. But the partnership has yet to deliver results on track.
After the first nine rounds of the 2025 season, Hamilton finds himself languishing in sixth place in the drivers’ standings. He trails his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc by 23 points and is yet to step onto the podium in his new red overalls. Even more concerning, Hamilton is currently 115 points adrift of the championship leader, raising serious questions about whether he remains a contender for a record-breaking eighth world title.
Ferrari had hoped that bringing Hamilton into the team would elevate them back to championship-winning form. The team has not claimed a title — either drivers’ or constructors’ — since 2008. They came close in 2024, missing out on the constructors’ crown to McLaren by just 14 points. The expectation was that Hamilton’s experience and racing intelligence would provide the final push needed to secure silverware. However, just nine races into the season, the reality has not matched the vision. Ferrari is currently trailing McLaren by a massive 197 points in the constructors’ championship.
Speaking to Automoto.it, Binotto acknowledged that while Ferrari’s results haven’t met expectations, he remains confident in the team’s potential. “It’s clear that the performance on the track and the results are not happy right now,” he said. “But I know every single member of that team very well and I know that they are good, strong, and capable. They will know how to improve the car and do well in the future. I think Ferrari can still take some satisfaction from this year.”
Now serving as chief operating officer at Sauber — soon to become Audi’s works team in 2026 — Binotto also addressed the timing of Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari. While he expressed admiration for Hamilton’s talent, he subtly suggested that the Scuderia may have signed him past his peak. “Hamilton is of a certain age,” Binotto said. “Ferrari got him when he was now at the end of his career. Ideally, we would have been able to get him a few years earlier.”
These remarks echo growing speculation in the paddock about Hamilton’s future in the sport. Some pundits, including former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher, have even floated the possibility that Hamilton may retire before the conclusion of his current contract, which runs until the end of 2026. Given his lack of form and ongoing struggles to adapt to the Ferrari car, questions are being raised about whether he still has the motivation and performance edge required to fight at the front.
Hamilton has remained publicly committed to Ferrari’s project, but the pressure is mounting. Without podiums or consistent points finishes, whispers about early retirement are growing louder. For now, the F1 world watches closely to see whether one of the sport’s most iconic drivers can turn his fortunes around — or if Binotto’s comments prove prophetic.
As Ferrari continues its quest for a long-awaited title and Audi gears up to enter the sport, Hamilton’s journey could become one of F1’s most defining storylines over the next two seasons.
