After the qualification on Saturday in Hungary, Hamilton made an extremely frustrated, almost desperate impression. The 40-year-old Ferrari driver called himself ‘completely worthless’ and suggested that Ferrari would replace him. His teammate Charles Leclerc took pole position. A day later, Hamilton finished 12th.
Lewis Hamilton is completely through after the next damper in Hungary: ‘Maybe they should change driver’
“Lewis was and is probably still particularly talented,” Ecclestone started opposite Daily Mail With a compliment for his countryman. “But as with many prominent sport personalities that reach the top, there is only one way, and it is not good. It leads down.”
Bernie Ecclestone is also available in Hungary. © ANP/HH
Hamilton debuted as Formula 1 driver in 2007 and took his last world title in 2020. After his fantastic battle with Max Verstappen in 2021, he never came close to a global triumph. At the end of 2024 he made the switch from Mercedes to Ferrari, where Hamilton is under contract until the end of 2026. This year he did not reach the stage once in 14 races and Leclerc is almost faster as standard.
Eccelstone therefore believes that Hamilton should make a drastic decision and say goodbye immediately as a Formula 1 driver. Hamilton must have his salary paid in full, says Eccelstone. That would be 70 million euros per year. “He needs a total reset,” he continues. “Lewis is tired. He has been doing what he is doing now all his life. He really needs a break to do something completely different.”
Charles Leclerc is full of frustration: ‘But I have to take back my words’
Ecclestone also believes that Hamilton should think of his physical health. He does not want the less sharp legend to happen to something annoying in his Ferrari. “I don’t want Lewis to happen to something bad. He is not fighting for a world title and he is not in a phase of his life in which it is not worth lying in bed for two years with a broken back or something else. He no longer has to take the risk. He has seven world titles. There are more than enough.”
Who should replace Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari?
Ecclestone also has a possible replacement for Ferrari. “If I could get him, I would take Isack Hadjar from Racing Bulls. He did it super well in his first year and is a great guy. I also appreciate our friend from Brazil (Gabriel Bortoleto from Sauber, ed.). He is talented ..”