Bernie Ecclestone hands Lewis Hamilton brutal F1 title chance verdict

Former F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone does not believe Lewis Hamilton will ever achieve a record-breaking eighth world championship.

Hamilton enjoyed a bulk of his F1 success with Mercedes, winning six titles from 2014 to 2020 and adding to the championship success he had with McLaren in 2008.

However, his final years at Mercedes proved to be a challenge as the team slumped down the pecking order.

Hamilton opted to change scenery for the 2025 season and joined Ferrari for a fresh career opportunity - but 11 rounds into the campaign, the 40-year-old is still awaiting his first trip to the podium in red.

Although a major regulation shake-up in 2026 presents an opportunity for Hamilton, Ecclestone does not see Hamilton taking another title home.

“No,” Ecclestone told Sky F1 when asked if he thinks Hamilton can add to his championship tally.

“I think there’s a period in people’s lives when everything’s going to work well, or not work well.”

Ecclestone suggested Hamilton's route to a title is more difficult now due to an increase in competition compared to his Mercedes days.

“I think he was fortunate enough to be around when… firstly there wasn’t so much competition so it was a little bit easier. 

“And now he’s got competitors, which when he was winning everything, he didn’t have too many people at the top of the tree.

“But I hope he still can get the job done.

“Whether he can win the world championship where he is, it’s a completely different story.”