Lewis Hamilton hit with harsh reality over Ferrari title dream

Hamilton has seemingly turned the corner following what was a tumultuous debut campaign with the Ferrari outfit. The seven-time world champion went from enduring a 26-race wait for his first podium with the Maranello outfit to once again establishing himself as a regular contender at the sharp end of the grid.

Nonetheless, as impressive as his turnaround has been, Montoya does not believe Hamilton can complete his resurgence by winning another world championship with Ferrari.

“I don't think he is going to be world champion again,” Montoya said to a betting platform.

However, the former McLaren driver was full of praise for both Hamilton and Ferrari, highlighting the team’s execution amid the Briton’s resurgence in form.

“His performances show he is on the right path; it shows Ferrari is on the right path and they're doing an amazing job. They're really being smart about how they go about their business and their strategies. And that is really cool to see,” he added.

Hamilton currently trails championship leader Kimi Antonelli by 50 points after 11 rounds of the current campaign and appears to have entered the title fight for the first time since his fierce championship battle with Max Verstappen in 2021.

While Montoya does not see Hamilton winning an eighth Drivers’ Championship, the former F1 driver is now certain that the Briton could enjoy an extended stay with Ferrari.

Montoya had previously echoed suggestions that Hamilton could call time on his illustrious career if he failed to improve on the disappointing form of his debut campaign with the Scuderia. However, following the seven-time champion’s impressive start to the 2026 season, Montoya now expects Hamilton to continue with Ferrari.

The 50-year-old did, however, offer a caveat, noting that Hamilton’s continued presence at the Maranello outfit could delay opportunities for young drivers such as Oliver Bearman and Rafael Camara, both of whom are linked to Ferrari’s driver academy programme.