Bernie Ecclestone Questions Lewis Hamilton’s Motive Over Rumored Ferrari Switch: “Not a Retirement Home…”

Bernie Ecclestone has recently questioned the motive behind Lewis Hamilton’s rumored switch to Ferrari. The former F1 boss believes Ferrari isn’t a retirement home and he should think twice before agreeing to such a move.

The internet is hot on Hamilton’s potential switch rumors to Ferrari. As the Briton is still to renew his contract, despite this season being his last at Mercedes, rumors say he might be off to Maranello next season.

Daily Mail recently reported that Ferrari president John Elkann is also ready to splash millions to create a super team at Ferrari. With Charles Leclerc as the partner, Elkann is ready to spend $50 million to have the 38-year-old with the Prancing Horse.

With Hamilton having a chance of switching to Ferrari, even if it’s a rumor, Ecclestone questioned his motive. He further believes it will certainly not be a good move.

Ecclestone fires Ferrari warning to Hamilton

The former F1 honcho believes the Brackley team is still a good place for the British driver. Speaking on this, the 92-year-old told PA Media that Lewis Hamilton would not be better off anywhere than he is at Mercedes.

“I also don’t know why Lewis would think he would be better off at Ferrari than where he is at the moment. He knows everything well and truly at Mercedes,” stated Ecclestone.

Mr Mercedes-AMG. 🖤💜 pic.twitter.com/vOkXEGckUK

— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) April 14, 2023

Following this, the British former boss went on to add how the entire team of Mercedes has a lot of respect for Hamilton, knows him well, and syncs well, as they did in the last 10 years, as per Express UK.

The ex-F1 supremo also emphasized how “Ferrari is not a retirement home” for the seven-time world champion. As much as the Briton wants to win the title, so does the team from Maranello. Hence, he believes it is not a wise choice for Lewis Hamilton.

Leclerc, and the problem with Ferrari

The 92-year-old boss also shared his astonishment if the Maranello-based team wants to eliminate Leclerc to have Hamilton in the team. Given, the Monegasque is the highest-paid driver on the team, replacing him with the Briton would make sense.

However, he also believes that Ferrari is in love with Leclerc. So getting rid of the 25-year-old is also out of the question. But if the former Sauber man makes his move away from Maranello, there should be something wrong within the team, Ecclestone thinks.

Speaking on this, Bernie Ecclestone conveyed, “If I was Lewis, and I saw that Leclerc is happy to leave Ferrari, I would think there has to be a problem there.”