Lewis Hamilton has been urged to “quit” F1 by Bernie Ecclestone, as the Briton’s struggles continue with Ferrari.
Hamilton suffered another disappointing weekend behind the wheel of his SF-25, as he finished the Hungarian Grand Prix down in 12th, after qualifying in the same place on Saturday.
His teammate, Charles Leclerc, took pole for the race, leading Hamilton to say post-qualifying that he was “absolutely useless” and that Ferrari should replace the 40-year-old.
Hamilton has made it clear he will be back after the summer break, despite his poor first half of the season; however, Ecclestone has warned Hamilton needs to end his career if things get worse for the seven-time champion.
Bernie Ecclestone has told Lewis Hamilton he needs to "quit" F1
|Getty
“Lewis is very talented, was and probably still is, but like a lot of leading sports personalities when they reach the top, there is only one way to go, and it’s not a good direction. It’s only down,” the 94-year-old began.
"They get tired. Lewis is tired. He’s been doing what he is doing forever. He needs a rest from it for good, a total reset to do something completely different.
“He may not think it but he will soon get used to doing other stuff away from motor racing in retirement. I think he should have done it a while ago.
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“The guy is not a cheat. But he would be cheating himself if he goes on. He should stop now."
“If I were looking after him I would negotiate with Ferrari immediately and say, 'If you have someone to replace Lewis, he’ll step aside," he concluded
Hamilton is currently in the first of a three-year contract with Ferrari, which is said to be worth £60million a year, but he has struggled to find performances that turn back the clock to his time at Mercedes and McLaren, as the 40-year-old is struggling to get to grips with the workings of the Ferrari.
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Lewis Hamilton has struggled at Ferrari
|Reuters
He has not scored a podium in the last 14 races, and is yet to stand on the podium in red, and has been outqualifed by Leclerc on 10 occasions already this season.
Ecclestone, who spearheaded Formula One for 40 years before Liberty Media took over the sport, went on to say: "If I were Lewis, I would say to Ferrari that I wanted to be paid all my contract, in full. They signed him because they thought he could do a job.
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“It isn’t working so I can make way if you want me to, but that’s the arrangement. It could work for both parties.
“I wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to Lewis. He’s not fighting for a world championship and is at a stage of his life when it wouldn't be worth him spending two years laid up in bed with a broken back or anything else nasty.
Lewis Hamilton has yet to get on the podium for Ferrari
|Reuters
“He doesn’t need to take the risk any longer. He’s won seven world titles and that is quite enough,” the 94-year-old said to Mail Sport.
Despite Ecclestone’s comments, Hamilton does plan to return after the summer break, hoping for a better showing after some time off at the Dutch Grand Prix at the end of August.