Hamilton may not secure an eighth title.

      "Perhaps he’ll secure a grand prix victory, or perhaps he’ll clinch a championship."

      Lewis Hamilton's aspirations for an eighth world championship are diminishing. This is the perspective of former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard, following a disappointing start to the 2025 season for the 40-year-old Hamilton after his transition from Mercedes to Ferrari.

      Bild newspaper reported that Coulthard believes Hamilton has "gambled and lost" by making the move to Maranello. "I always thought Lewis had cultivated a unique bond and loyalty with Mercedes," the Scot told the German outlet. "So I was completely baffled when I heard about his switch. It was reminiscent of Michael (Schumacher) returning to Formula 1 with Mercedes after having built such a legacy at Ferrari. Ultimately, though, this is Lewis’s journey, his narrative, his book that he’s writing. Maybe he’ll win a grand prix, maybe he’ll secure a championship – or perhaps not."

      When asked if he personally thinks Hamilton will retire as an eight-time world champion, Coulthard conceded: "No, it doesn’t seem likely. He certainly envisioned something different than what has unfolded so far."

      Despite being particularly downcast after the recent Spanish GP, Hamilton maintains that he is doing everything possible to enhance his Ferrari car. "We have an excellent simulator at Maranello," the British driver told Sky Italia. "Since my arrival, I’ve suggested numerous improvements I believed were necessary. And we’re on it. We’re continually striving for enhancements, and the team has already made substantial progress."

      Coulthard isn't the only seasoned analyst who is skeptical about Hamilton’s prospects in red. Many are pointing fingers at Frederic Vasseur, believing that the Frenchman’s tenure at Ferrari may also be limited. Vasseur acknowledged to La Stampa that McLaren appears to be beyond reach in 2025. "We aim to gradually close the gap to McLaren," he said. "I’m unsure whether we will achieve victory in one, two, or three months. I can’t make any promises to the fans other than that we will exert 200 percent effort, working tirelessly, even if our competitors won’t rest."

      Regarding his position at the prestigious Ferrari team, Vasseur seems at ease. "I just turned 57," he remarked. "There is no greater or more fulfilling challenge on the grid than being Ferrari's team principal. Simultaneously, there’s probably no more scrutinized position than mine, but I thoroughly enjoy collaborating with the team and the drivers, and we possess a strong team spirit."

      However, Hamilton mentioned in Barcelona that the team should be contemplating reallocating all resources toward the brand-new 2026 car project. Vasseur acknowledges: "We will start anew. It’s thrilling for everyone. It will be an entirely different challenge – I can’t recall anything like it in F1. And there is no prior benchmark to compare it with in relation to others."