Lewis Hamilton Can ‘Escape’ From His Mercedes F1 Contract: Ecclestone Hints at Retirement

The reigning champion, Lewis Hamilton, started the current season where he left off last year, winning three of the four-race weekends. But since then the Knight has been on the back foot. He fell off the road at a rain-hit Imola in April and threw away his win at Azerbaijan by pressing the so-called ‘magic button’.

This gave the 23-year-old Max Verstappen an opportunity to lead the Drivers’ Championship, and is now considered as a serious contender to win the title.

Lewis Hamilton currently sits at P2 in the driver’s standings, 32 points adrift of his arch-rival Verstappen. Meanwhile, former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone claims the 7-time world champion, Lewis Hamilton is no longer the fighter he once was and he can escape from his Mercedes contract.

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What did Bernie Ecclestone say?

Lewis Hamilton recently signed a 2-year contract extension with Mercedes and Bernie Ecclestone says that the Brit could yet walk away from his new 2-year £80M contract.

“At the beginning of the year, I thought he would look to win the championship and then retire. But it appears not, even though I wouldn’t rely too much on contracts. He can escape from that.” said Bernie Ecclestone.

Lewis Hamilton, who won the previous six out of seven championships with Mercedes, Bernie Ecclestone believes lack of effort because of the finest machinery at his disposal and next to zero competition contributes to his troubles this season.

“I have spoken to lots of people about this and perhaps Lewis is not quite the fighter that he was. There are lots of occasions this year where he could have done better and he hasn’t,” said Bernie Ecclestone.

“He hasn’t had any competition, the equipment has always been super, and he hasn’t really had to make the effort. But now maybe he is thinking that he better take it a bit easier.”

Lando Norris backing compatriot Lewis Hamilton to win British GP

Heading to his home Grand Prix at Silverstone, Lewis Hamilton is currently on a streak of five winless races. The Brit will hope to make a comeback at his home turf where Mercedes have been traditionally strong in recent years.

Moreover, Lando Norris is backing his fellow compatriot to win the British Grand Prix. When asked if the British GP title is coming home or going Dutch, Lando Norris replied: “I’m hoping it’s coming home, of course, it looks a tough battle.

“Max is looking very strong, so a high probability that it is going to go Dutch, but I’m supporting Lewis, I’m supporting my fellow countryman, I wish him all the best. And both of them all the best, in their fight for the Championship.”

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What do you think? Can Lewis Hamilton end his winless streak at his home turf this weekend at the British Grand Prix? Let us know in the comments section below.