Bernie Ecclestone reverses stance, warns F1 to 'watch out for Ferrari' in 2025
Ex-F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has performed a sharp U-turn, now telling the sport to 'watch out for Ferrari' in 2025 and hoping Lewis Hamilton can secure a record eighth title, which he calls 'a great story.' His changed view follows encouraging signs for the Scuderia in pre-season testing.
Former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has reversed his previous calls for Lewis Hamilton to retire, now warning the sport to "watch out for Ferrari" this season and suggesting a record eighth title for the British driver would be "a great story." This shift follows Ferrari's strong showing in pre-season testing, hinting at a potential resurgence for the team and its star signing.
Why it matters:
Ecclestone's public U-turn is a significant vote of confidence for both Hamilton and Ferrari's 2025 project. His influential voice can shape narratives within the sport, and his newfound optimism suggests Ferrari may have genuinely closed the gap to the front. A competitive Ferrari with Hamilton in the hunt for an eighth title is precisely the drama F1's commercial rights holders crave to engage a global audience.
The details:
- Ecclestone's previous stance was that Hamilton should retire, joining other notable figures who questioned the driver's future after a podium-less first season with Ferrari in 2024.
- His new position is driven by Ferrari's performance in Bahrain testing, where the team appeared to be at the sharp end with favorites Mercedes and showed particularly strong race-start simulations.
- He directly addressed Hamilton's enduring motivation, stating, "He doesn't want to give up, doesn't want to stop without having achieved it," referring to the elusive eighth championship.
- The backdrop remains the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, a result many in the paddock still dispute, which fuels the narrative of Hamilton's unfinished business.
What's next:
All eyes will be on the Bahrain Grand Prix to see if Ferrari's testing pace translates into genuine race-winning performance. Hamilton's quest for an eighth title against a dominant Max Verstappen and Red Bull remains a monumental challenge, but Ecclestone's warning adds considerable intrigue to the season opener. A competitive Ferrari would instantly reshape the championship dynamic and deliver the compelling storyline the former boss believes the sport needs.