© Steve Etherington for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.
Former Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone says at Ferrari Lewis Hamilton would have to “really learn the language so he’d know what they were saying behind his back”.
During the Formula 1 winter break there were a lot of rumours going around saying Lewis Hamilton might make a switch to Ferrari after his contract with Mercedes expires at the end of 2020. Bernie Ecclestone doesn’t think this would be a good idea for the six-time champion.
“If I were Lewis I would stay at Mercedes,” said Ecclestone.
“He is comfortable there. He is in charge. He’s got the guy [team principal Toto Wolff] who turns the lights on and off supporting him.
“It wouldn’t work at Ferrari for him. They are Italians. He would have to really learn the language so he’d know what they were saying behind his back, for a start.
“The problem with all the Italians, they don’t want a fight, don’t want an argument with anyone.
“Instead of saying to someone who is doing a bad job, ‘Sort yourself out or I’ll sort you out — please yourself, but I want results,’ they say, ‘Let’s have dinner so we can talk about it. Be friends’.”
Bernie went on to explain how he’d treat Hamilton if he was driving for his team.
“If I had Lewis I’d just tell him what time the next race starts and say be there for then. Apart from that, he could do whatever he wants,” explained the 89-year-old.
“I’d cut his pay and let him do his own sponsorship, anything. Mercedes try to rein him in a bit. I’d give him total freedom.
“There is no need for him to worry about winning one more championship than Schumacher. If he wants to stop racing, he should not carry on just for that reason. He should carry on because he wants to drive.”
Ecclestone was asked how he would rate Lewis among Formula 1’s all-time greats.
“Lewis is very good. Top four or five, or whatever, but it is hard to say this guy is better than so and so.
“Lewis has the best equipment and the best team. The best everything.”
Source: The Daily Mail
