Ecclestone: "Fed up" Hamilton not the racer he once was

Ex-Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone doubts a “fed up” Lewis Hamilton has what it takes to win the 2018 title, adding he is no longer the driver he once was. 

The Briton, who claimed his fourth world championship last season, has endured a winless start to the new campaign as Mercedes heads into this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix looking to end its longest streak without a grand prix victory during the V6 hybrid era. 

Hamilton has also been out-performed by teammate Valtteri Bottas at the last two rounds and trails Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel - already a two-time winner in 2018 - by nine points. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff admitted his driver was not in the “best place” at the Chinese Grand Prix and Ecclestone believes Hamilton’s frustration is beginning to affect his ability.

"He doesn't seem to be the Lewis that he was before,” Ecclestone told Sky Sports in Baku. "I don't know whether it's me - but when you talk to him and see him act the way he acts generally, he's not the racer he was.

"He's still very quick, still super talented, still a super nice guy. But maybe he just getting a little bit tired of travelling and he's fed up with things.”

Ecclestone added his pre-season predictions of Mercedes and Hamilton domination have already been proved wrong, and is backing Vettel to make up for his 2017 championship disappointment by winning this year’s title. 

"I thought Lewis would win every race, so I've been proved wrong. It would be nice to see Sebastian win because he's a mate of mine and I support him always. So I hope he can get the job done."