Bernie Ecclestone is adamant Lewis Hamilton should retire. Photo: RacePictures.

Ecclestone 'agrees' with Hamilton's 'I'm useless' claim

12:37, 17 Sep

Updated: 13:38, 17 Sep

byNorberto Mujica

Bernie Ecclestone, former F1 Supremo, believes Ferrari partnering Lewis Hamilton's most embarrasing aspect is the fact the Briton can't "deliver" what the Italians thought he would.

Hamilton's Dutch Grand Prix ending crash. Photo: RacePictures.

The danger that – if he continues for another year or a year and a half and hasn’t gotten better by then – people will forget him and his achievements

- Bernie Ecclestone

Lewis Hamilton's first year at Ferrari has not been anything to write home about, and Ecclestone even brands the partnership as "embarrasing."

“The most embarrassing thing, in my opinion, for Lewis and Ferrari is that they thought he could do all the things that were necessary,” he told Sport.de.

“You must be disappointed that what was supposed to be delivered was not delivered,” he continued, opining from what he believes could be the Scuderia's point of view.

Reaffirming his stance on the matter of Hamilton's future in F1, Ecclestone once against voiced his thought that the seven-time World Champion would do well to call it a day.

“He should stop,” the former F1 Supremo stated, issuing a warning to the Ferrari driver that his legacy in the sport might depend on it.

“The danger that – if he continues for another year or a year and a half and hasn’t gotten better by then – people will forget him and his achievements.”

Hamilton on the rise at Ferrari

Not for the first time Ecclestone has casted a harsh judgement over Hamilton's presence at Ferrari, he's also previously urged the Scuderia to replace the Briton. And now he seems to agree with Hamilton's post-Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying where he dubbed himself useless.

However, the Italian team's principal Frédéric Vasseur is of the opposite opinion, claiming the seven-time Wolrd Champion is back, and even stating that last time out at Monza the Briton was faster than teammate Charles Leclerc.

Hamilton, judging by the past two races in the Netherlands and Italy, has been able to close the gap to Leclerc both ion qualifying as well as in the races. Should that trend continue until the end of the season, the Briton just might prove the 94-year-old wrong as he and Ferrari prepare for what they hope will be their return to fighting for wins and titles come the 2026 regulations overhaul.