Bernie Ecclestone Rallies Behind Lewis Hamilton for Record-Breaking 8th F1 Title
In a notable shift, former F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone has expressed support for Lewis Hamilton’s quest for an eighth world championship. This comes after a period of media conflict between the two, marking a significant change in Ecclestone’s stance.
Key Takeaways:
- Ecclestone’s Changed Stance: Once at odds with Hamilton, Bernie Ecclestone now voices his support for the British driver’s attempt to clinch an unprecedented eighth F1 title.
- Sky Germany Interview Highlights: During his interview with Sky Germany, Ecclestone expressed his hopes for Hamilton to surpass Michael Schumacher’s record, thereby creating history.
- Comparison with Max Verstappen: Ecclestone drew parallels between current champion Max Verstappen and Schumacher, acknowledging Verstappen’s similar traits but also noting their different racing approaches.
In an intriguing turn of events, Bernie Ecclestone, the erstwhile chief executive of Formula 1, has thrown his support behind Lewis Hamilton for his bid to secure an eighth world championship title. This development is particularly noteworthy given the previous media tussles between Ecclestone and Hamilton. In a candid interview with Sky Germany, Ecclestone conveyed his hope for Hamilton to make history by surpassing Michael Schumacher’s record.
Last year’s friction was palpable when Ecclestone responded to Hamilton’s criticism of ‘older voices’ in the sport. Hamilton’s remarks came in the wake of Nelson Piquet’s racial slur against him. Ecclestone, at the time, had controversially stated to the Daily Mail, “Maybe the older generation are not interested in listening to what he has to say.” However, his recent comments to Sky Germany show a marked change in attitude. Ecclestone, aged 93, now says about Hamilton, “I hope he makes it. He would then make history.”
If Hamilton does indeed clinch his eighth title, he will break Schumacher’s longstanding record of seven titles. Ecclestone, reminiscing about Schumacher’s days, compared Red Bull’s Max Verstappen to the F1 legend, noting, “Max Verstappen has a bit of [Schumacher] in him. Max isn’t as merciless as Michael was. Because Michael didn’t even think about making compromises.”
Verstappen, the reigning world champion, secured his third title last season, dominating with 19 wins out of 22 Grand Prix. Red Bull, powered by the Adrian Newey-designed RB19, notched up 21 victories in 22 races, underscoring their supremacy in the sport. Ecclestone’s endorsement of Hamilton adds another layer of intrigue to the upcoming season, as the sport’s giants vie for supremacy on the world stage.
