Bernie Ecclestone has accused Ferrari president John Elkann of signing Lewis Hamilton primarily to fuel his own ego. The seven-time world champion is preparing to leave Mercedes and join the Italian team next season, having agreed a multi-year contract.
Hamilton has made it clear that he cannot wait to join Ferrari, describing the move as a childhood dream after putting pen to paper. Ecclestone, however, believes Hamilton could be disappointed when he jumps ship from Brackley to Maranello.
The 94-year-old, who ruled F1 for decades before selling to current owners Liberty Media in 2017, described the move as a vanity project for Elkann in an interview with the Daily Mail.
“It is a big deal he [Hamilton] has got, though I suspect the bonus clauses written into his contract are there to make him feel good rather than reality,” said Ecclestone. “For John Elkann, the guy who runs it, it was a big ego thing.
“He thought he had captured the best guy the world had ever seen. When he signed him there was nothing to indicate he was wrong in that assessment. Whether he is still happy with that is another story. Only time will tell.”
Ferrari look set to be among next year’s title favourites, having come on leaps and bounds under the guidance of Frederic Vasseur. Hamilton will be hoping to claim the honours for a record eighth time, making him the most decorated driver in history.
Ecclestone does not expect Hamilton to achieve the feat, though, saying: “I believe he won’t. I don’t think it will be easy for Lewis, especially in that team. They will back Charles Leclerc. He’s quick and has grown up there. They won’t dump him for anyone.
“However, from Lewis’ point of view, it may not have been a mistake to join Ferrari. He couldn’t exist any longer at Mercedes. Either he’s given up with them or they have given up on him. They wouldn’t do much to keep him, so he is better off going.”
For now, Hamilton will be looking to end his spell at Mercedes on a positive note by performing well in the final three races of the season. He endured one of his worst weekends in recent memory at the Brazilian Grand Prix, failing to get out of Q1 before finishing in 10th place.
He will get the opportunity to redeem himself in Las Vegas before the season rounds off in Qatar and Abu Dhabi next month.
