Hamilton receives crucial eighth F1 title warning

Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft has warned Lewis Hamilton that this year could be his "best chance" to claim an unprecedented eighth drivers' title. 

Hamilton has joined Ferrari on a multi-year deal ahead of the final season of the current regulations cycle, before one of the biggest changes in F1 history takes place. 

Next year will see the introduction of the new power unit regulations, when the field will reset and the pecking order will reshuffle.

Because of what is taking place in 2026, the general expectation is that several upgrades will not be introduced by each team this year. 

As a result, should Ferrari start strong, then the Maranello-based team will likely remain at the front for the entirety of 2025. 

So much uncertainty surrounds the new regulations, which is why Croft pins this year as Hamilton's best chance for an eighth crown.

"I honestly don't know," Croft told select media including RacingNews365. "What I would say is this [2025] might be Lewis' best chance of an eighth world title, given the season that it could be.

"In terms of teams won't be throwing developments week after week after week, because they've got 2026 to think about. 

"I do think Ferrari will be the most keen to get the most out of 2025 of the big four teams, because it's A, so long since they won something, B, they want to prove that Lewis is the right man and or Charles as well."

Following the huge signing of the seven-time world champion, Croft believes Ferrari might introduce more upgrades this year than its rivals. 

This could give Ferrari an edge as the upcoming season develops, but also give Hamilton a greater chance of title glory.

"Charles is homegrown, Lewis has been drafted in and I think they will push it harder in terms of the developments," added Croft. 

"So whether he wins an eighth title or not, I can't say on that one, but I do think it's probably his best chance, because then 2026 we reset, we rewrite the rules, and it would get that much harder, given the changes that are coming up."