Formula 1 supremo hits Lewis Hamilton with blunt reality check
The seven-time world champion caused shockwaves at the Hungarian Grand Prix last weekend after admitting he was 'absolutely useless'.
Fox Sports, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every practice, qualifying session and race in the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship™ LIVE in 4K. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
Hamilton, 40, finished 12th in qualifying and called for Ferrari to 'change driver' after the result.
He was equally as despondent after finishing 12th in the Grand Prix, and now Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has told him to quit the sport.
'Lewis is very talented, was and probably still is,' Ecclestone told the Daily Mail.
'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.
'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.''
Hamilton has not got off to the best start in his three-year contract with Ferrari, which is worth $A123m a season.
His teammate Charles Leclerc qualified on pole in Hungary and has out qualified Hamilton ten times, with the Brit quicker on just two occasions.
He has also failed to podium in 14 attempts with his only success this season coming in China when he won the sprint race.
Ecclestone shared concern for Hamilton and advised him to retire to avoid the risk of racing.
'I wouldn't want anything bad to happen to Lewis,' he added.
'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.'
The Formula 1 supremo said if Hamilton were to step aside, Ferrari should target Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar or Kick Sauber rookie Gabriel Bortoleto to drive alongside Leclerc.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
15 minutes ago
- News.com.au
NRL 2025: Warriors fans threaten to drown out Bulldogs at blockbuster home game
Startled and unprecedented. That is the surprise reaction from the Canterbury Bulldogs who face the unthinkable - being outnumbered at a 40,000 crowd home game by New Zealand Warriors fans. Official data shows Warriors supporters have bought more tickets than the Bulldogs faithful for Saturday night's top-four blockbuster at Accor Stadium. Warriors fans appear to have strategically targeted this game for the past six weeks in a bid to surpass the amount of Canterbury supporters. It is cheeky and bold and has prompted Bulldogs chief executive Aaron Warburton to issue a 'call-to-arms' for his fans to attend the big match and avoid being drowned out by noisy New Zealand supporters. Canterbury haven't been outstripped at home once this season. Ticket sales indicate the Indigenous round crowd could reach 40,000 as Canterbury hunt a minor premiership and the Warriors seek to remain inside the top four. While Warburton predicts his club's massive fan base will engage in a late ticket surge, he did say: 'I'm genuinely startled at the ticket take-up rate from Warriors fans. 'We've completely dominated attendance at every home game this year, but the Warriors supporters are proving why Mt Smart Stadium is consistently sold out - they're organised, committed and they're coming in numbers. 'Our ticket sales data before Tuesday's team announcement showed Warriors fans were ahead of our numbers - something we haven't seen all season. They've been snapping up tickets from day one. 'This is unprecedented for us at home this season, but I'm confident our large fan base will respond. When it comes to pure passion and loyalty, no fan base matches ours.' Sydney's robust New Zealand population appear zeroed in on the Bulldogs game with Warburton pointing why Warriors fans will be at Accor Stadium in large numbers. 'Warriors fans are renowned for their voice and cultural celebrations - they bring something special to every venue,' he said. 'The Warriors don't just have fans, they have a movement.' 'They carry the pride of an entire nation, while we represent the diversity of Greater Sydney. That's what makes this clash so special. The Warriors bring something unique to our competition that we deeply respect. 'We're looking at a crowd of up to 40,000 fans featuring two of the most passionate supporter bases in rugby league. The atmosphere will be electric, and that's exactly what Indigenous round deserves. 'I'm confident there'll be a strong late surge from our supporters. We've owned Accor Stadium all season, and I expect that blue and white dominance to continue on Saturday night.' The Warriors are clinging to fourth spot on 30 competition points, just one clear of the rampant Penrith Panthers. 'Canterbury's got such passionate fans that when they're competitive, everyone benefits. They're building something solid,' said Warriors CEO Cameron George. 'The beautiful thing about playing the Bulldogs is the respect between our supporter bases. Pacific Islanders in Western Sydney often support both teams - that's the power of cultural connection. 'Indigenous round allows us to honour both Aboriginal culture and our own M�ori heritage. The parallels between First Nations peoples across the Tasman run deep - this match celebrates that connection.' Canterbury is running equal second on 34 competition points, just one win behind Canberra, the competition leaders. To facilitate the expected late surge, Canterbury has made $10 undercover seats available through the Ticketek website.
News.com.au
15 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Palm Beach Currumbin SHS and Kelvin Grove State College were the big winners of grand final day
Palm Beach Currumbin SHS's male Billy Turner Cup side and Kelvin Grove State College's female team have been crowned state champions after a gala grand final day. PBC SHS edged out Kelvin Grove 1-nil in the boys' thriller, with the decisive goal coming from the boot of Sam Butler. But Kelvin Grove did break through to claim the girls decider in a commanding 5-1 triumph over Cairns SHS. Marnie Cavanagh and Meadow Cruden were both two goal heroes, while Emma Messner-Gul's strike into the back of the net completed KG's assault. For Cairns, Ava Hansen made the score sheet with her successful strike. Both games featured outstanding team and individual performances, with PBC SHS's Archie Matthews being named boys Player of the Final while Kelvin Grove's Messner-Gul snared the girls' grand final Player of the Match. The finals at Wolves FC were a culmination of a wonderful state wide competition which featured fierce competition, sportsmanship and school pride. Earlier in the semi-finals, Palm Beach won through to the decider after a 2-nil win courtesy of goals from Tyrese Bake and Nate Bruni, while Kelvin Grove booked their ticket to the final with a comprehensive 6–1 win over Kawana Waters State College. For KG goals were scored by Milan Osbourne, Redon Naite, Cooper Palm, Bepo Mohseni, Karim Naguib. Aiden Gul netted the only goal for Kawana. In the girls, Cairns SHS cruised into the final with a 5–0 victory over Varsity State College, led by goals from Yui Akiyoshi, Yasmin Wyld-Hill, Alisha Mays, and a brace from Peyton Rose. Kelvin Grove then reached the final after a dramatic penalty shootout win over Chancellor State College, following a 1–1 draw in regulation time. Emma Messner-Gul and Bronte Pennells were the goal scorers in regular play. The third place playoffs in the boys saw Kawana Waters and Cairns SHS play out a 1–1 draw after goals from Kane Duffey and Sam Freeland respectively. 'The tournament once again highlighted the strength and depth of school football in Queensland,'' said one of the competition's co-ordinator, Jason Tobin. 'With outstanding individual performances, team spirit, and memorable moments throughout, the Bill Turner Cup continues to be a critical pathway in the development of young footballers.''
ABC News
38 minutes ago
- ABC News
Max Gawn shocked by Simon Goodwin sacking but tells Demons 'don't wait' on replacement
Melbourne captain Max Gawn says he was shocked but not angry at the sacking of coach Simon Goodwin, as he urged prospective candidates to take the call from the Demons. Goodwin, who coached Melbourne to the 2021 premiership, was axed on Tuesday, despite having a contract that ran until the end of 2026. Melbourne sits 12th on the ladder, with the club's board believing the team needs a new voice to help steer them towards the finals again. Demons wingman Ed Langdon made it clear on Wednesday he did not agree with the board's opinion. Gawn was more diplomatic on Thursday, toeing a fine line between expressing his love for Goodwin and respecting the "ballsy" decision from the club's board. "I was shocked, as most people were. They didn't see it coming," Gawn said on Triple M. "I'm definitely not angry. I'm a lover of the Melbourne football club, and in the end, I'm going to support most decisions they make, and this is another one I'm going to get behind. "They've sacked people who I've loved before, and I've moved on, and so have they. "This one is a harder one to take … but I also have great relationships with people who made the decision, and they've explained it carefully to me as to why." When asked whether the Demons needed a new voice, Gawn joked: "Ed Langdon butchered this one yesterday." "Do we need a new voice? I appreciate after nine years, a new voice could help," Gawn added. "I was pretty bullish on what we were building at the football club, and the old voice was doing well for me. "But we were also 6-13 (win-loss record), and good clubs don't wait. It's natural to be scared of change. I'm scared of change. "I've got a lot of relationships in that building, [and] I hope they all keep their jobs. But change sometimes is necessary." Nathan Buckley, John Longmire, Adam Simpson and Ken Hinkley are among the experienced names floated to replace Goodwin. "I feel like it's a call you should take," Gawn said in a message to anyone who is considering applying for the role. Troy Chaplin has been appointed interim coach for the rest of the season, starting with Sunday's match with the Western Bulldogs at the MCG. AAP
