Ecclestone: Lewis takes failure too easily

Bernie Ecclestone has suggested Lewis Hamilton could retire after this season, although his contract with Mercedes does not expire until the end of 2023.

In his usual way, the former head of Formula 1 management thinks in an original way and summarizes the economic justification for his theory.

“Lewis can sell his spot on the team to Toto Wolff. For example, he will say: “According to the contract I receive that much. I leave and you pay me half of what is due to me,” Ecclestone reasoned in an interview with the Daily Mail. “Toto can agree, and this is going to be one of his magic deals: he can offer this place to someone for less money and save £20 million.

But there’s no point in advising Toto to do that, because he’s already thought about it. Perhaps in the current circumstances Lewis is ready to retire.”

Speaking of George Russell, Ecclestone admitted that he underestimated the young team-mate of the seven-time world champion: “I didn’t think he was that good, but he’s doing great. I’m surprised. Or is Lewis doing badly? Maybe both.

Toto Lewis begins to tire. I don’t think Hamilton is trying his best. Let’s put it another way: Lewis doesn’t seem to get that upset when he loses. It doesn’t look like him. He has a fighting spirit, but in my opinion he takes failures too easily now.

I don’t think he’s actively helping George. I don’t think he’s very concerned, he’s not ready to go all out for wins, although he used to be.

Ecclestone also shared his impressions of Mohammed bin Sulayem’s work as FIA president, saying he often turns to him for advice.

“As for Mohammed, he never grew up on the streets, he comes from a different environment. He’s never seen people want to bury him, that you always have to be vigilant,” Bernie said. “But he’s a quick learner and will soon realize that this sort of thing is very possible.

He often calls me for various reasons, we talk, but I never tell him what to do and what not to do. He is an absolutely adequate person, 100%, sincere and honest. But the problem is that he lacks a bit of life experience.

Take this story about jewelry. Like it or not, Lewis is a flamboyant character. He’s black, which is good, and he’s different from the rest of the riders in many ways, which is also good. We need lively characters. If Lewis wants to wear jewelry in his nose, I personally don’t mind.

He wears these strange robes – beautiful. But he’s doing it for himself, not for Formula 1. The danger is that people talk more about Lewis than Formula 1. The press writes about him. But I believe that if there is such a rule (regarding jewelry), it should be followed. Point.

I’d say to Lewis, if the jewelry can’t be removed, that’s no problem, but you just don’t get behind the wheel, that’s all. When racers once told me you can’t race in such weather, I replied, “Okay, you don’t have to.”

I remember Alain Prost coming to me saying it was too dangerous and someone could die. I said, “We’ll start at 2 a.m. as usual, but if you don’t want to participate in the race, you don’t have to.”