A storm of controversy has erupted in the Formula 1 world following scathing remarks from motorsport titan Bernie Ecclestone concerning Lewis Hamilton’s prospects with Ferrari, suggesting the seven-time world champion’s dream season is already dashed and hinting at a potential retirement.

Ecclestone, the venerable former chief executive of Formula 1, did not mince words when quizzed on the British driver’s performance, bluntly dismissing any realistic chance for Hamilton to secure an unprecedented eighth world title in the current climate.

His pointed commentary even extended to the possibility of the 40-year-old racing veteran concluding his illustrious career, advising that perhaps it was time for the superstar to “move over a little bit” to avoid any unfortunate incidents, as reported by The Independent.

Hamilton’s recent struggles underscore Ecclestone’s critique, with the British driver enduring a particularly challenging qualifying session in Hungary, which saw him languish in 12th place on the grid for the upcoming Grand Prix, a stark contrast to his usual front-running form.

This disappointing result further compounds a difficult first year with the Scuderia, leaving Hamilton currently positioned sixth in the F1 championship standings, a considerable distance from any contention for the 2025 title, which now appears to be an extinguished aspiration.

Beyond Hamilton, Ecclestone also weighed in on the high-profile departure of Christian Horner from Red Bull Racing, acknowledging his own close connections within the team and affirming that once the decision was made regarding Horner’s leadership, decisive action was deemed necessary by those involved.

The outspoken motorsport figure made these candid observations while attending an event in Hungary, commemorating the 40th anniversary of the F1 Grand Prix at the significantly revamped Hungaroring circuit, adding a layer of historical context to his contemporary critique.

The stark difference in team performance was highlighted by Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc’s strong showing, securing his first pole position of the season, which prompted Ecclestone to suggest, rather provocatively, that the team’s issue might not be the car but rather the need to “change driver,” emphasizing the growing disparity within the Ferrari garage.