Bernie Ecclestone has advised Lewis Hamilton to consider leaving Formula 1 amid his struggles with Ferrari this season. Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, made a high-profile move to Ferrari at the beginning of the current season after departing Mercedes.
However, the season has been challenging for the 40-year-old driver. Hamilton has failed to secure a podium finish in any of the 14 races so far and notably finished in 12th place at the recent Hungarian Grand Prix.
Furthermore, Hamilton has been consistently outperformed by his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc in qualifying, being bested on 10 occasions, and only managing to surpass him twice during races. Ecclestone, a former F1 authority figure, believes it may be time for Hamilton to consider stepping away from racing.
Ecclestone expressed his views, stating that while Hamilton is undeniably talented, the pressures of being at the pinnacle of the sport can lead to a downward trajectory in performance. He emphasized that Hamilton might benefit from taking a break and exploring other interests outside of motor racing.
Ecclestone suggested that Hamilton should engage with Ferrari to discuss a potential replacement, indicating that it might be in Hamilton’s best interest to consider a different path. He highlighted concerns for Hamilton’s well-being and urged him to avoid unnecessary risks, especially considering his successful career with seven world titles.
Hamilton had initially signed a two-year contract with Ferrari but reportedly indicated that the team should find a replacement for him following disappointing results. He is said to have been earning around £60 million annually with the team.
As Hamilton and his competitors prepare for the upcoming race in the Netherlands later this month, there is a slight break in the F1 calendar.
