Breaking: Former Ferrari chief insists Hamilton ‘should be S…read more
Former Ferrari Boss Binotto Questions Move, Declares Hamilton “Too Late” for Scuderia
In a candid statement on June 8, 2025, former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto voiced significant doubts about Lewis Hamilton’s switch to the iconic red team, remarking that the seven‑time world champion signed “a few years too late” and “at the end of his career” .
Hamilton, aged 40 and fresh from a glittering but challenging stint at Mercedes, joined Ferrari for the 2025 season. The move, widely viewed as a fairytale attempt to chase an elusive eighth Drivers’ Championship, has faltered early. As of early June, Hamilton has yet to secure a podium in red, ranking sixth in the standings, trailing teammate Charles Leclerc, who holds fifth .
Binotto, who led Ferrari from 2019 to 2022, emphasized that signing Hamilton earlier would have aligned better with Ferrari’s ambitions. “Hamilton is of a certain age… the ideal would have been to have him a few years earlier,” he insisted . He also noted that Ferrari had previously prioritized Leclerc’s development before Hamilton’s arrival—the Briton’s late entry has shifted that dynamic .
Analysis suggests that Hamilton is struggling to adapt to the SF-25’s characteristics, compounded by technical issues, such as a ‘loose rear end’ that former Ferrari engineer Rob Smedley says clashes with Hamilton’s driving style . These handling quirks appear to benefit the younger Leclerc in qualifying and race performance.
Binotto remains confident Ferrari can overcome these early setbacks, but his commentary underscores a broader concern: Ferrari may have misjudged both timing and tactics, choosing experience over prime performance. The team now faces pressure to evolve the car and build trust in Hamilton before the championship slips further from reach.
With development underway and mid-season upgrades planned, Ferrari’s true test will come in the next stretch of European races. Will Hamilton find his footing, or will the critics—including his own former boss—be proven right?
