Former Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone comments on Lewis Hamilton were stark and brutal as he addressed swirling rumours regarding an Alpine F1 Team takeover.
The ex-F1 chief who presided over the sport for four decades responded to claims about a potential investment in Alpine alongside Christian Horner and casted a critical eye on Hamilton’s ongoing career, especially in light of his challenging first season with Ferrari.
The seven-time F1 World Champion and one of the most successful drivers in the sport’s history, made headlines earlier in 2025 by switching from Mercedes to Ferrari.
The high-profile move came with immense expectations, yet Lewis Hamilton’s performance scene at the Scuderia has been less than stellar. He has struggled to claim podium finishes, grappling with an underperforming car which has shaken his confidence.
The seasoned British driver recently claimed a dismal 12th place finish at the Hungarian Grand Prix where he criticized himself as “useless” and openly suggested Ferrari look for a replacement driver.
This has fueled speculation about whether the legendary driver’s days at the pinnacle of racing might be numbered.
Bernie Ecclestone did not hold back in his assessment. Speaking candidly, he urged Hamilton to consider retirement, saying the driver looked “tired” and suggested continuing to race would be “cheating himself.”
“Lewis is very talented, was and probably still is,” the 94-year-old told SKY Sports F1. “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.
“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. The guy is not a cheat. But he would be cheating himself if he goes on. He should stop now.”
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Ecclestone further proposed that Hamilton should negotiate an early Ferrari exit, allowing the team to focus on younger talent.
He added: “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.
“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.
“He doesn’t need to take the risk any longer. He’s won seven world titles and that is quite enough.”
Ecclestone rubbishes Horner Alpine takeover rumours
In parallel to the tough words about Hamilton, Ecclestone dismissed rumours linking himself and the recently departed Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner with plans to purchase a stake in the Alpine F1 Team.
Reports claim Horner is currently holding talks with Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore for a potential F1 return as team owner following his shock Red Bull exit.
However, Ecclestone famously quipped that the chances of this partnership happening were even smaller than Lewis Hamilton winning an eighth world championship title.
“I think more chance of Lewis winning his eighth title than that happening,” said Ecclestone with a smile.
“I don’t know how or where, or whether he wants to. Probably doesn’t want to because the position he really wanted at Red Bull was to own part of the team.
“Unless he gets somebody to put the money up to buy a team, can’t see it happening.”
This is not the first time Bernie Ecclestone comments on Lewis Hamilton have sparked controversy. The former F1 supremo has remarked before that Hamilton’s off-track interests and public persona contribute to why some people might “dislike” him.
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