Former Formula 1 strategist Bernie Collins has openly criticized Lewis Hamilton’s decision to join Ferrari in 2025, arguing that the British seven-time world champion may have misjudged the move, particularly with the 2026 season shaping up to favor Mercedes. Collins described Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari as a “childish attraction” to the iconic red car rather than a calculated step for long-term success.
2025: a challenging season for Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari
The 2025 season proved to be one of the most difficult in Lewis Hamilton’s career. Bernie Collins points out that if the move to Ferrari had been focused on maximizing opportunities for 2026, Hamilton would have been better off staying at Mercedes. The Stuttgart-based team appears to be in a stronger position for the upcoming regulation changes, while Ferrari is still recovering from a disappointing year.
Lewis Hamilton’s 2025 statistics highlight the struggles: no podiums, no victories, no pole positions outside of Sprint races, three consecutive Q1 exits, and only a sixth-place finish in the championship. Ferrari admitted during the year that their primary focus was on developing the 2026 car rather than improving the 2025 performance. Both the team and Lewis Hamilton, now 40, are optimistic about 2026, particularly since all teams will essentially start from scratch under the new regulations.
Collins’ perspective on the move
Despite this, paddock rumors suggest Mercedes will be the team to beat under the new rules. According to Bernie Collins, Lewis Hamilton may have been better off remaining with his historic team instead of chasing a childhood dream with Ferrari. Bernie Collins explained his reasoning in an interview with Sky F1:
“If he had 2026 in mind, I believe staying at Mercedes would have been the right move,” Collins said, referring to Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari. “When you go to these places, when you try to choose your team or decide your next steps, everyone is trying to sell you something. But no one can guarantee how good the car will actually be.”
The allure of Ferrari
The news of Lewis Hamilton joining Scuderia Ferrari was a major talking point in Formula 1. The most successful driver in the sport teamed up with its most successful team. Although the first year of this partnership did not yield the expected results, Collins acknowledged that he understands what motivated the seven-time world champion to make the switch.
“It was that little childish attraction to the red Ferrari that convinced him. He wanted the opportunity to drive in red, to see himself in that car. I can fully imagine the dream and the appeal. We were all caught up in the excitement at the start of the year. We thought: this will be amazing,” Collins said.
“We didn’t expect the season to be this difficult. And if we’re talking about 2026, then maybe he will be a little better prepared to face the switch back at Mercedes,” Collins concluded.
Looking ahead
As Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari prepare for the next chapter under the 2026 regulations, Bernie Collins’ highlight the challenges involved in switching teams, even for a driver of Lewis Hamilton’s caliber. While the first year at Ferrari has been demanding, the outlook for the coming season remains one of cautious optimism, both for the driver and for the Scuderia as they aim to capitalize on the upcoming rule changes.
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