Bernie Ecclestone urges Lewis Hamilton to QUIT F1 before 'anything bad happens'

Bernie Ecclestone has told Lewis Hamilton to QUITFormula 1amid hisFerrarinightmare. The seven-time world champion made a sensational switch to the Italian side at the start of this season after bidding farewell to Mercedes.

But it has been a nightmare for the 40-year-old. He has not finished on the podium at all this season in 14 races, while he finished in a lowly 12th in last weekend’s Hungarian GP.

Hamilton has also been out-qualified by Ferrari teammateCharles Leclerc on 10 occasions - and only beaten his opposite number twice in GPs. Ecclestone, who controlled F1 for four decades, believes the time might now be right for the British star to step away from the wheel.

“Lewis is very talented, was and probably still is,” the 94-year-old told Mail Sport. “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.

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“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.”

Ecclestone believes that should Hamilton not step away from F1, he could potentially do himself some damage. He added: “I wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to Lewis.

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“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.”

Hamilton initially signed a two-year deal with Ferrari and sensationally told the side to replace him following his disappointing performance in Budapest. He reportedly earned around £60m per year with the side.

Hamilton and his rivals now face a slight break before the next race which takes place in the Netherlands at the end of the month.

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