Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore believe Ferrari has erred by bringing Lewis Hamilton on board.
Former F1 boss Ecclestone argues that the seven-time world champion's best shot at further triumphs, now aged 40 and beyond, would have been to remain with Mercedes.
"Hamilton has already been extremely successful at Mercedes and knows the team and its processes inside out," the 94-year-old Briton told Germany's RTL.
"At Ferrari, however, there is uncertainty as to whether he will receive the necessary support and a competitive car," Ecclestone continued.
Ferrari heads into 2025 with bold world championship goals, but Ecclestone remains sceptical.
"It's not the technology or the budget," he said. "It's that they lack the right leadership. That's clearly visible from the outside.
"When Ferrari was successful, Jean Todt was running it and he had such a strong team around him that worked together perfectly."
Ecclestone's long-time ally and business associate Briatore, now a key figure at Alpine, shares the sentiment.
"No, I wouldn't have taken him," the Italian told Corriere della Sera. "Ferrari already had two very strong drivers - (Charles) Leclerc and (Carlos) Sainz.
"Leaving aside the marketing that Lewis brought, I think Charles is one of the fastest, the best in qualifying. And Carlos is tough. They were a great pair, but Ferrari had other ideas."
Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher also predicts that Leclerc will outshine Hamilton in 2025.
"(George) Russell was ultimately the stronger and more consistent driver at Mercedes," he told Sky Deutschland.
"Hamilton has been in the business long enough that he has to try to be faster than Leclerc from the start, but I think that's almost impossible," Schumacher added. "Because Leclerc has become really good now.
"He has gained a lot of self-confidence and knows the car that was developed for him. So it will be difficult for Hamilton right from the start."
