Former Ferrari President Doubts Lewis Hamilton’s Cha…read more
Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was one of the biggest stories in recent Formula 1 history. After a glittering 12-season spell with Mercedes, during which he secured six of his seven world titles, the British driver decided to embark on a new challenge with the iconic Italian team. His ultimate goal? To finally clinch his long-pursued eighth championship — a title that slipped from his grasp after the controversial 2021 season finale in Abu Dhabi.
However, the start of Hamilton’s journey with the Scuderia has not lived up to expectations. Despite securing his first-ever win in Ferrari colors during the Sprint race at the Chinese Grand Prix, his performances in the full Grand Prix events have been underwhelming. On his Ferrari debut, Hamilton finished a disappointing 10th, and although he showed better pace at the Shanghai International Circuit by crossing the line in sixth, he was ultimately disqualified after a post-race technical inspection.
Hamilton’s strongest performance in a main race so far came in Bahrain, where he managed to bring his car home in fifth position. Nevertheless, it was far from the kind of result he and Ferrari had been aiming for. Matters worsened in Saudi Arabia, where Hamilton endured what he described as a “horrible” race, finishing seventh. Speaking after the event, the 40-year-old admitted he was bracing himself for a “painful” first season with Ferrari, indicating that the team’s competitiveness might not be at the level needed for a serious title challenge.
While Hamilton has struggled to find his rhythm with his new team, his teammate Charles Leclerc has had comparatively better fortunes. The Monegasque driver gave Ferrari their first podium of the season, offering a glimmer of hope to the passionate Tifosi. However, overall, Ferrari’s performances have fallen short of the lofty expectations that accompanied the beginning of the 2025 campaign.
Former Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo, a towering figure in the team’s storied history, attended the Bahrain Grand Prix earlier this season. Known for his outspoken views and high standards, di Montezemolo did not hold back in his assessment of the current state of the team. Speaking to Brick, the 77-year-old Italian businessman delivered a harsh critique, lamenting what he perceives as a loss of identity and leadership within the organization.
“The team has been lacking leadership for years,” di Montezemolo said pointedly. “The soul is missing. In the past, people worked day and night, driven by an intense passion that defined Ferrari. Now, it feels like success is being chased in a random, haphazard manner, without the spirit that once made Ferrari great.”
Di Montezemolo, who oversaw some of Ferrari’s most successful periods — including the dominant Michael Schumacher era — suggested that the current environment at Maranello is a far cry from the glory days. Although he refrained from directly criticizing Hamilton, he made it clear that he does not believe the British driver’s ambition of winning a title with Ferrari will come to fruition.
“His dream of winning the World Championship title at Ferrari will not come true,” di Montezemolo declared bluntly.
His comments strike a particularly sour note given Hamilton’s hopes when signing with Ferrari. The seven-time world champion had envisioned reviving the team’s fortunes and adding another historic chapter to his already legendary career. Yet, as di Montezemolo points out, Ferrari’s underlying issues seem too deeply rooted for one driver — no matter how talented — to fix alone.
Hamilton’s early struggles are a stark reminder of the challenge he faces. Adapting to a new team at 40 years old, after years of success at Mercedes, was always going to be difficult. But combined with a team that, according to insiders like di Montezemolo, is missing its “soul” and clear direction, the task appears even more daunting.
As the season progresses, the F1 world will watch closely to see if Hamilton and Ferrari can turn their fortunes around. For now, though, doubts are growing louder, and voices like di Montezemolo’s suggest that Hamilton’s dream of an eighth title, this time dressed in Ferrari red, may remain just that — a dream.
