P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Bernie Ecclestone appears to have done a U-turn on suggesting Lewis Hamilton should consider retiring from F1.
Former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has reversed his opinion on Lewis Hamilton retiring from F1 and now believes the focus should be on Ferrari’s performance this season. Ecclestone acknowledges that a potential eighth F1 drivers’ title for Hamilton would be a significant storyline for the championship. There is ongoing controversy surrounding the end of the 2021 season, with doubts about the legitimacy of Max Verstappen’s title win over Hamilton at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Hamilton’s move to Ferrari in 2024 was accompanied by high expectations, but his first year with the team was disappointing, raising questions about his future in F1. However, after Ferrari’s strong performance in pre-season testing, Ecclestone now sees Ferrari as a serious contender and hopes for their success in the coming season. Ecclestone also recognizes Hamilton’s determination to secure an eighth championship and believes it could be the year for him to achieve that milestone, describing it as a potentially great narrative for F1.
