Ex-Ferrari Driver Declares 90% of Maranello Didn’t Want Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton‘s debut with Ferrari in the 2025 season has remained mediocre. The Briton is unable to perform up to the mark and is not meeting the expectations banked on him by the team and the Tifosi. Although Hamilton’s joining the team has helped the Italian constructor rake in a substantial profit, their on-track performances remain problematic. As such, the ex-Ferrari driver made a shocking confession about a majority of the team not wanting the seven-time champion to join in the first place.

Ferrari had great stability within the team with their previous driver lineup of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc. However, the availability of a seven-time champion meant that the team did not think twice about their decision. Now, Hamilton has put forth lackluster performances, with his best finish only being P4 in the main race at the Austrian and British GP and a sprint race win in China.

Ex-Ferrari driver Arturo Merzario opened up on Lewis Hamilton and his bombshell move to the team. Merzario asserted that Hamilton could join and leave any team he wanted without any problems; however, Charles Leclerc still needed to prove himself and become a world champion.

Moreover, Lewis Hamilton’s entry to the team had reportedly helped the team gain over $58 million in profit, as compared to the previous year. Hence, it is no surprise that just acquiring Hamilton in the squad, Ferrari is already reaping the rewards. As such, Arturo Merzario declared that the Briton’s entry to Maranello was nothing short of a commercial decision. Merzario didn’t hesitate to claim that over 90% of the people within the squad did not want the seven-time champion joining the team.

It’s not Charles Leclerc’s situation: Charles still has to prove that he is a champion. In my opinion, Hamilton’s arrival in Maranello was a commercial operation. 90% of Ferrari insiders disagreed, at least as far as I know.

Arutro Merzario told Gazzetta dello Sport