Last Updated on July 12 2025, 1:17 am

Ecclestone Throws Shade at Hamilton’s Glory Days; Says It Was “Easier Back Then” – It wouldn’t be a Formula 1 news cycle without Bernie Ecclestone chiming in with something eyebrow-raising, and the sport’s former supremo hasn’t disappointed. In his latest interview with Sky Sports in the UK, Ecclestone suggested that Lewis Hamilton’s domination of Formula 1 during the 2010s was, well, a little too easy.

Apparently, when Hamilton was collecting world titles like they were Tesco Clubcard points, the rest of the grid wasn’t exactly putting up much of a fight—at least according to Ecclestone. “I think there are times in a person’s life when everything goes well – or not,” Bernie mused, in what may go down as the world’s most passive-aggressive compliment. “Lewis was lucky to be there at a time when there wasn’t as much competition to begin with. When he was winning everything, there weren’t as many people at the top.”

In other words, it wasn’t necessarily that Hamilton was a generational talent carving his way through the field—it was just that the field didn’t offer much resistance. How convenient.

 

Hamilton’s “Golden” Years – Just a Walk in the Park?

While Ecclestone didn’t list specific seasons, it’s clear he was referencing the early and mid-stages of the hybrid era, especially 2014, 2015, 2019, and 2020. These were years when Hamilton mainly had to fend off his own teammates to secure titles. In the first turbo-hybrid seasons, Nico Rosberg was the primary challenger within Mercedes—until the German finally had enough in 2016 and retired right after beating Hamilton to the title. Then came the Valtteri Bottas years, a partnership that offered less drama and, if we’re honest, significantly less resistance.

Even in 2019 and 2020, the Finn was unable to mount a serious season-long challenge, often being outclassed in both qualifying and race trim. Unsurprisingly, Ecclestone appears unimpressed by Hamilton’s domination in that context.

That said, there were at least a couple of seasons where Hamilton’s success did come under serious external threat—namely in 2017 and 2018 when Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari were briefly competent enough to mount a genuine challenge. Those seasons required Hamilton to dig deep and deliver title-winning performances under real pressure.

 

Not Exactly the Era of Parity

Ecclestone’s criticism may have some basis when looking at the statistics. In 2014, aside from Hamilton and Rosberg, only Daniel Ricciardo managed to win any races—three, to be precise, all in a Red Bull powered by a struggling Renault engine. The rest of the field may as well have been competing for a silver medal in a two-horse race.

2015 wasn’t much better. Once again, Mercedes was in a league of its own, and only Sebastian Vettel—now in his first year in red—managed to spoil the party on three occasions. In other words, if your car didn’t have a three-pointed star on the nose cone, you were more or less resigned to playing the role of polite onlooker.

Only from 2016 onward did the winners’ circle begin to diversify. There were four different winners in 2016, and by 2017, the likes of Ferrari and Red Bull were at least starting to regularly challenge for podiums and wins, even if Mercedes still held the overall upper hand. Seven different drivers won races that year—a sign that the grid was no longer just watching the Hamilton show.

 

Hamilton’s Eighth Title? Don’t Bet on It, Says Bernie

Unsurprisingly, Ecclestone isn’t putting his money on Hamilton taking an eighth world title anytime soon.

When asked if Lewis could still grab another crown, Ecclestone’s blunt reply was, “No.” A simple answer with heavyweight implications.

Then again, the 93-year-old did offer a glimmer of sympathy—or perhaps diplomacy.

“But I hope he can still do it,” he added, before returning to a more critical tone.

“Whether Lewis can win the world championship where he is now is a completely different question.”

Which, of course, brings us to Hamilton’s current life choice: Ferrari.

 

Red Reality Check: Hamilton’s Ferrari Gamble Isn’t Paying Off Yet

When Hamilton stunned the paddock by announcing a switch to Ferrari for the 2025 season, the news was met with excitement, nostalgia, and a hefty amount of scepticism. So far, it appears the doubters may have had a point.

While Hamilton did snatch a sprint race win in China, his main Grand Prix results have been far more modest. We’re now past the halfway point of the season, and the Briton is still yet to step onto a Ferrari Grand Prix podium. That’s right—Ferrari’s new superstar signing, the seven-time world champion, has zero podium finishes in race trim while his teammate Charles Leclerc has already racked up four.

To make matters more painful, Hamilton currently trails Leclerc by a whopping 103 points in the Drivers’ standings. That’s not a deficit—it’s a different postcode.

Hamilton, ever the realist, recently poured cold water on any fantasies of a miraculous Ferrari title charge in the second half of the season.

“We’re not in a place to win on merit yet,” he admitted, in what could be considered the most British way of saying “this car is rubbish” without actually saying it.

 

Has the Game Moved On Without Him?

One interpretation of Ecclestone’s comments is that he believes Hamilton’s dominant years came at the perfect time: when Mercedes had a near-unbeatable car and most rivals were floundering in their attempts to adapt to the new hybrid era. And now?

Now the likes of McLaren, Red Bull, Ferrari, and even Aston Martin are regularly in the mix. The competition Hamilton never truly had to face during the early 2010s is now very much here, and he’s no longer sitting in the fastest car on the grid.

So is this merely bad timing, or has the sport evolved in a way that leaves Hamilton fighting ghosts of a golden era that no longer exists? According to Ecclestone, it may well be both.

Herd mentality over Red Bull ‘calamitous’ performances

 

So, Was Lewis Lucky—Or Just Brilliant?

Ecclestone’s comments are sure to reignite the endless debate over whether Hamilton’s success was a result of sheer driving brilliance, Mercedes dominance, or the misfortune (or incompetence) of the competition. As with most things in Formula 1, the truth likely lies somewhere in between.

Yes, Hamilton benefited from the most dominant car in F1 history for several seasons. But to maintain that level of excellence, to consistently defeat teammates over the course of nearly a decade, and to deliver under pressure when a real challenge did arise—those achievements aren’t gifts. They require talent, work ethic, and yes, a bit of luck too.

Still, Bernie’s opinion holds weight—whether you agree with him or not.

 

What do you think?

Was Hamilton’s success more about timing than talent? Has the sport moved on from his glory years? And will he ever take that elusive eighth title in red? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

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