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Bernie Ecclestone Rips Into Ferrari F1 in Racist Tirade

Published 03/16/2020, 1:22 PM EDT

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Former F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone had words of advice for Lewis Hamilton regarding the latter’s future career choices. When discussing Hamilton’s potential seats at other teams, Ecclestone bashed Ferrari’s work ethic. The 89-year old’s diatribe against the Italian team was unprofessional, to say the least.

Ecclestone’s advice to Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton will be out of contract at the end of 2020. The Briton is yet to resign with Mercedes and hasn’t announced anything regarding his future in the sport. Many former drivers and F1 pundits are egging the 6-time champion to consider Ferrari as a serious choice beyond 2021.

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However, by leaving Mercedes and joining the Scuderia, Hamilton would unnecessarily sacrifice a familiar environment and winning formula. After winning 5 World Championships on the trot, the Brit really doesn’t have a reason to walk away from the Silver arrows.

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The six-time World Champion is currently in the form of his life. Additionally, the Briton is on a dominant streak that stretches back to 6 years. Mercedes has had the best car on the grid in the entirety of the turbo-hybrid era. Adding these advantages, Hamilton’s best decision would be sticking with the German team.

Some harsh words for Ferrari

Bernie Ecclestone echoed these remarks and advised the reigning champion to hold station. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Ecclestone said:

If I were Lewis I would stay at Mercedes. He is comfortable there, he is in charge. He’s got the guy [team boss Toto Wolff] who turns the lights on and off supporting him,”

“It wouldn’t work at Ferrari for him because they are Italians. He would have to really learn the language so he’d know what they were saying behind his back, for a start.”

A rather half-baked analogy considering the fact that 2007 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen never learnt the tongue. Yes, Ferrari prefers drivers who speak Italian to connect with the team but it isn’t a hard and fast rule.

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The Briton criticized Ferrari’s work ethic and claimed the team isn’t confrontational when required.

“The problem with all the Italians, they don’t want a fight, don’t want an argument with anyone. Instead of saying to someone who is doing a bad job, ‘Sort yourself out or I’ll sort you out — please yourself, but I want results,’ 

Ecclestone’s remarks are sure to raise a few eyebrows. Furthermore, Some may even disagree with the Briton’s scrutiny of the Italian team.

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Ecclestone claimed he would give Lewis Hamilton complete freedom, had he been the latter’s boss.

if I had Lewis I’d just tell him what time the next race starts and say be there for then. Apart from that, he could do whatever he wants.

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Written by:

Abhishek Bharadwaj

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Abhishek Bharadwaj is an F1 author and content strategist at EssentiallySports. Having joined ES in January 2020, he has over 700 articles to his name. While he was first introduced to the world of F1 in 2006, he started religiously following the sport in 2012 and has had an undying passion for it ever since.
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