Former F1 boss explains 'dislike' of Hamilton in 'talent' takedown

Ex-F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has outlined why people "dislike" Lewis Hamilton, who is in the midst of readying himself for a first season with Ferrari.

The seven-time F1 drivers' champion and the storied Italian team's partnership has been widely viewed as the most iconic in the history of the series which Ecclestone owned for several decades.

There is no love lost between the 94-year-old and the British driver, who have both previously engaged the media to criticise the other.

Ecclestone is the most recent to strike, telling British newspaper The Telegraph he does not believe Hamilton will last the duration of his two-year Ferrari contract.

In that same interview, the business magnate took aim at Hamilton's sartorial choices and his interests outside of F1, namely music.

To Ecclestone, they appear to be part of why some people do not like the 105-time grand prix winner.

"Lewis gets himself up front in a way where you can dislike him," Ecclestone suggested.

"How a guy who has won a few world titles and has a few dollars in the bank can dress the way he dresses… I’m not a fan of that."

Not satisfied with just sharing his opinion of Hamilton's dress sense, Ecclestone sought to dispel the notion that the 40-year-old is one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time.

He argued that whilst Hamilton has skill enough to win races, he does not possess as much ability as he is often said to have.

"He has a lot of talent as a driver. As much as people credit him with? No, but still enough to win races," Ecclestone added.

"I don’t know why he does all this other nonsense. He needs to get out of the music business and whatever else."