Lewis Hamilton brutally told '90% of Ferrari didn't want you' as 'destroyed' claim made

Lewis Hamilton has been told that most of Ferrari didn’t want him as he strives to rescue his 2025 season. The seven-time Formula 1 champion has had a torrid campaign since signing for the iconic Italian team.

He has failed to take a grand prix podium in the first 14 rounds, although he took a surprise sprint race victory in China. Despite occasional flashes of promise, Hamilton has been routinely outpaced by team-mate Charles Leclerc.

His season hit its nadir last time in Hungary before the summer shutdown when he qualified a lowly 12th as Leclerc took pole. After the session, Hamilton branded himself “useless” and said that Ferrari needed to replace him.

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After struggling home in 12th in the grand prix, he said there was “a lot going on in the background that is not great,” fuelling speculation of a rift between him and the team.

As the 2025 season prepares to resume with the Dutch Grand Prix next weekend, former Ferrari driver Arturo Merzario, who raced in the 1970s, has brutally branded the signing a “commercial operation” and believes Hamilton is not feeling valued by the team.

The 82-year-old motorsport executive told Gazzetta dello Sport: “In my opinion, Hamilton’s arrival in Maranello was a commercial operation. As far as I know, 90 per cent of the employees at Ferrari did not approve of this decision.

“And then, when a driver does not feel valued or an integral part of the group to achieve a goal, he loses motivation. Why go crazy to gain three-tenths while still remaining on the third row?”

Addressing Hamilton’s “useless” outburst in Hungary, Merzario added: “That statement was a bit ironic to me. But, of course, this position is not acceptable for a seven-time world champion. It seems to me that Lewis feels like someone who has been destroyed by Ferrari.”

Despite that pessimistic assessment, Merzario insists all is not lost for Hamilton, suggesting he could walk into another team if his relationship with Ferrari breaks down beyond repair.

He said: “It’s not over. He is just waiting for the right opportunity. He will only risk when necessary, not for an eighth position. Also, because if he ever wanted to leave, he would find another team.

“Hamilton has already shown what he is worth. It’s not Charles Leclerc’s situation. Charles still has to prove that he is a champion.”