Formula One icon, Bernie Ecclestone has urged car racer, Lewis Hamilton to walk away from Formula One immediately, warning that he should secure his full Ferrari payout before “anything bad” happens to him on the track.

 

 

 

His advice comes after Hamilton’s dismal outing at the Hungarian Grand Prix, where he qualified 12th and finished outside the points — far behind his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc, who took pole.

 

 

 

 

The seven-time world champion harshly criticised himself post-race, calling himself “absolutely useless” and suggesting Ferrari should replace him.

 

 

 

 

Despite confirming he would “probably” return after F1’s summer break for the Dutch Grand Prix on August 31, Ecclestone believes it’s time for Hamilton to call it a day.

 

 

 

“Lewis is very talented — was, and probably still is,” the 94-year-old told Mail Sport from Portugal.“But like a lot of top sports personalities, once they’ve reached the top, there’s only one way to go — and it’s down.”

 

 

 

Ecclestone, who led F1 for four decades before Liberty Media’s 2017 takeover, was present at the Budapest race, which he originally brought behind the Iron Curtain in 1986.

 

 

 

“They get tired. Lewis is tired. He’s been doing what he’s doing forever,” he said.“He needs a rest from it — for good. A total reset. He may not think it, but he’ll soon get used to doing other things in retirement.”

 

 

 

 

Hamilton, 40, is in his first year of a £60 million-per-season, three-year deal with Ferrari. Since his blockbuster move from Mercedes, he has struggled for form, failing to land a single podium in 14 races, while being out-qualified by Leclerc 10 times. His only notable win came in a sprint race in China.

 

 

 

“He’s not a cheat. But he would be cheating himself if he continues,” Ecclestone added.“If I were looking after him, I’d negotiate with Ferrari and say, ‘If you’ve got someone ready, Lewis will step aside — but pay the contract in full.’ It could work for both parties.”

 

 

Ecclestone has experienced firsthand the risks of F1, having managed two drivers who died in action — Stuart Lewis-Evans in 1958, and Jochen Rindt in 1970, F1’s only posthumous world champion.

 

 

“I wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to Lewis,” Ecclestone said.“He’s not fighting for a title and is at a stage in life where it wouldn’t be worth spending two years in a hospital bed with a broken back — or anything else nasty. He doesn’t need to take that risk anymore. He’s won seven titles — that’s quite enough.”

 

 

 

Ecclestone floated two young drivers as potential Ferrari successors:

 

 

“If I could steal him, I’d take Isack Hadjar from Racing Bulls. He’s done super well and is a great guy,” he said.“I also rate our friend from Brazil — Gabriel Bortoleto from Sauber. Talented, and sensible too.”

 

 

But Toto Wolff, Hamilton’s longtime Mercedes boss, disagrees with Ecclestone and insists Hamilton should stay the course into 2026, when new regulations will reset the field.

 

 

“Lewis has unfinished business in Formula One,” said Wolff. “Mercedes underperformed with the 2022 regulations, and it’s affected him — maybe it’s a driving style issue.

 

 

But with the brand-new cars and power units in 2026, it’s absolutely on for Lewis. If he has confidence in the car, there’s no reason he can’t win an eighth title.”