Ecclestone claims Hamilton is now happy to lose in 2022
Jun.27 - Lewis Hamilton, who is the most successful driver in Formula 1 history, has stopped caring about winning.
That is the sensational claim of former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, who thinks the seven time world champion may even be losing the support of his own Mercedes boss.
"Toto (Wolff) is getting a bit fed up with Lewis," Ecclestone, 91, told the Daily Mail.
"I don't think he's trying, do you? Let's put it another way, Lewis doesn't seem bothered about losing."
Hamilton, 37, was gutted and furious about losing the 2021 title in the controversial manner in which the 2021 Abu Dhabi finale and other events played out.
As a result, Ecclestone thinks the British driver has taken a different approach for 2022 - especially as his Mercedes car is now clearly less competitive.
"It's not like him," Ecclestone said. "He has a competitive nature but he's taking losing a bit easy for my liking.
"I don't think he is actively helping George Russell. I don't think he's doing anything. I don't think he cares too much. He's not prepared to put the effort into winning that he did."
Ecclestone even thinks Hamilton may be thinking ahead to his next round of contract negotiations, given that his current deal runs to the end of next year.
"Lewis might sell his position to Toto: 'This is how much I am getting, I'll step down and give me half of what I would get'," he said.
Indeed, even Wolff does not hide that it is not a given that Hamilton will be staying beyond 2023, insisting it is "too early to talk about 2024".
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The knight seems happy taking the $$$ to fund his future LA career. This next race is huge for his future. If he doesn't win at 'stone look for a huge dive.
Just checked the weather for SS weekend a 0-10% chance of rain on F,,S, S So that means itll chuck it down across all three days all day, knowing our unreliable weather forecasting ..
As for the huge dive or lunge ( down the inside ) , none of that this weekend please Lewis lol
I you havn't read the article from your Hero and mine JYS , it makes for interesting reading
Lewis Hamilton should have called it quits on his Formula 1 career at the end of last season to protect his legacy as one of the greatest ever.
That’s according to triple World Champion Jackie Stewart.
Losing the World title to Max Verstappen last season, Hamilton continued with Mercedes having already committed to a two-year extension for 2022 and 2023.
However, Formula 1’s all-new ground effect aerodynamic era has not started well for Mercedes or the seven-time World Champion.
While the team has yet to win a single grand prix, Hamilton has been beaten by his younger team-mate George Russell in seven of this year’s nine races, the latter earning widespread praise as ‘Mr. Consistency’, having finished in the top five at every round.
With just two visits to the podium, Stewart reckons it is time for Hamilton to hang up his helmet.
“He has done extremely well, he came from modest beginnings before a man called Ron Dennis picked him up because he was so good at karting.
“He is very talented, right from the beginning.
“He has now won is it eight World Championships? Seven or eight. He is now struggling because he has a team-mate who is quicker than him in qualifying which is going to be difficult for him to handle.
“But I think it is time for him to retire.
“He’s got music, he’s got culture, he loves clothing and the rag trade would be absolutely suitable for him.
“I’m sure he’ll be very successful because he’s been earning a huge amount of money — rightfully so because he’s been the best of his time.
“And that’s the best you can do.”
In fact the Scot reckons Hamilton should have done so already as now his results, disappointing by his lofty 103-race wins standards, aren’t doing anything to cement his legacy.
“Lewis is in that group of the Ayrton Sennas and the Alain Prosts — or even the Jackie Stewarts maybe,” Stewart added. “He has carried the sport very well.
“I would like to see him resigning now.
“It’s a pity he wasn’t resigning at the top but I don’t think that’s going to happen now.
“But nevertheless it’s wiser to stop than go through all the pain of not being able to do what you did before.”
Nicooooooooo...........
Interesting that Sir Jackie mentions Senna, Prost and himself as greats (all true), but ignores Michael. Makes me smile that even my hero has his prejudices.
Well to be fair, he never mentioned Jim Clark who many consider a/the goat, or a certain Mr Laudi, i think he probably didn't mention Msc because it was a given
Still BE, now JYS among others i'm sure albeit under there breath at the moment , that he should have gone last yr, to preserve his legacy, either that or maybe hes just baiting the journos, roll on the weekend Live Fri, Sat, Sun
Fair enough on JYS comments. Now, be careful anticipating the weekend. If my guess is right you and Jaxwad are going to battle. Sad, but I'm seeing light in the knight.
BTW, Clark all alone at the 'ring is my desktop The greatest racer seldom mentioned.
What do these geriatrics keep coming out of the woodwork? In years past I admired Jackie (not quite as much as Jim Clark) but it is time that both him and the even worse Ecclestone should go to the old peoples home where they might stand a chance of being appreciated there. Just stay away from, F1 especially Silverstone - i8t might upset you.
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