Former Ferrari boss criticizes Ferrari's choice to bet on Hamilton as he praises Verstappen

Despite the high expectations going in, the partnership between Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari has yet to deliver meaningful results, with the seven-time world champion still without a single podium after nine Grands Prix.

It must also be said that, at least in the first part of the season, Ferrari has struggled to match the competitiveness of Red Bull and, above all, McLaren — despite clinching second place in the Constructors' Championship just last weekend in Barcelona.

All in all, Mattia Binotto can probably feel satisfied. Having left the Maranello team at the end of the 2022 season, he now finds himself leading the transition from Sauber to Audi ahead of the Neuburg outfit’s big debut in 2026.

Speaking about his former team and the decision to bring in Hamilton to replace Carlos Sainz, in an interview with Automoto.it, the Italian-Swiss manager said: “It’s clear that the performances on track and the results aren’t where they’d like them to be right now''.

And about Hamilton's disappointing performances so far: "Hamilton is a driver of a certain age. Ferrari signed him when he was already nearing the end of his career. Ideally, they should have brought him in a few years earlier."

Finally, Binotto also praised Verstappen, describing him as a driver he would move heaven and earth to sign in the near future: "In the short term, Max is still the strongest out there. I think everyone would want Verstappen, but I’m happy with our two drivers."