Hamilton F1 record bid dismissed after ‘big ego’ move

Lewis Hamilton’s bid for a record eighth F1 title next season when he joins Ferrari has been fervently dismissed by former supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

The 94-year-old ruled the sport for 40 years before giving way to current owners Liberty Media in 2017, yet he continues to keep a watching brief over F1, which includes the odd visit to a grand prix, such as in São Paulo over the weekend.

Ecclestone witnessed one of Hamilton’s worst weekends in a Mercedes as the seven-time F1 champion failed to make it out of either the first qualifying sessions for the sprint and grand prix, and managed only 10th in the latter in a car he described as “crap” and one of the worst the team has provided him.

Hamilton has firmly indicated he cannot wait to see the end of this season, however, Ecclestone has warned the 39-year-old it will not be a bed of roses when he joins Ferrari.

As to whether he will win an eighth drivers’ championship, speaking to the Daily Mail, Ecclestone said: “I believe he won’t.

“I don’t think it will be easy for Lewis. Especially in that team. They will back Charles Leclerc. He’s quick and has grown up there. They won’t dump him for anyone.

“However, from Lewis’ point of view, it may not have been a mistake to join Ferrari. He couldn’t exist any longer at Mercedes. Either he’s given up with them or they have given up on him. They wouldn’t do much to keep him, so he is better off going.”

Ecclestone makes quip at Hamilton’s expense

Asked whether Hamilton should walk away from F1 now before he even joins Ferrari, Ecclestone replied: “He would have to walk away from a lot financially.

“It is a big deal he has got, though I suspect the bonus clauses written into his contract are there to make him feel good rather than reality.

“For John Elkann, the guy who runs it, it was a big ego thing. He thought he had captured the best guy the world had ever seen.

“When he signed him there was nothing to indicate he was wrong in that assessment. Whether he is still happy with that is another story. Only time will tell.

“If Lewis is fading, which I don’t like to see, he should go away and do something else, and do a good job at it.”

Unable to resist a sly dig at Hamilton, who a few years ago said the likes of Ecclestone and Sir Jackie Stewart should keep their opinions to themselves, the former added: “He’s now one of the older generation. And didn’t he say he wanted to hear less from them?”