Bernie Ecclestone Urges Lewis Hamilton To Retire From Formula One Before ‘Anything Bad’ Happens

Formula One’s former supremo, Bernie Ecclestone, has called on Lewis Hamilton to walk away from the sport immediately, warning that the seven-time world champion should secure his full Ferrari payout and step aside before disaster strikes on track.

Ecclestone’s advice comes on the heels of Hamilton’s dismal Hungarian Grand Prix performance, where he failed to score points, qualifying 12th and finishing far behind teammate Charles Leclerc, who secured pole position. The British driver, visibly frustrated, called himself “absolutely useless” and hinted that Ferrari should consider replacing him.

Despite suggesting he’ll return after F1’s summer break for the Dutch Grand Prix on August 31, Ecclestone believes Hamilton’s time is up.

“Lewis is very talented, was, and probably still is,” Ecclestone, 94, told Mail Sport. “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. They get tired. Lewis is tired. He’s been doing this forever. He needs a rest for good.”

Hamilton, now in his first year of a £60 million-per-season, three-year deal with Ferrari, has endured a nightmare start to life in red, failing to reach the podium in 14 races and being out-qualified by Leclerc ten times. His only bright spot was a sprint race win in China.

Ecclestone emphasized that Hamilton should negotiate a dignified exit, securing his contract’s full payout while stepping aside for a successor. “He’s not a cheat. But he would be cheating himself if he continues. If I were managing him, I’d say to Ferrari, ‘If you’ve got someone ready, Lewis will step aside but pay the contract in full.’ It could work for both parties.”

The F1 veteran, who has seen the sport’s brutal side firsthand with the deaths of drivers Stuart Lewis-Evans and Jochen Rindt, stressed he doesn’t want Hamilton to suffer a similar fate. “He’s not fighting for a title. He’s at a stage in life where it wouldn’t be worth spending two years in a hospital bed with a broken back. He’s won seven titles that’s quite enough.”

Ecclestone floated two potential replacements for Ferrari: Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar and Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto, praising both for their talent and composure.

However, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff offered a contrasting view, insisting Hamilton has “unfinished business” in Formula One. Wolff believes the upcoming 2026 regulations overhaul could reignite Hamilton’s title hopes. “If he has confidence in the car, there’s no reason he can’t win an eighth title,” Wolff said, pointing to a potential comeback as the sport resets its technical landscape.