F1 News: Bernie Ecclestone Backs Lewis Hamilton For 8th World Championship

The F1 supremo switched lanes after a conflict, backing the seven-time world champion for another title.

After engaging in media disputes with Lewis Hamilton several months ago, former F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone has since changed his stance, with him now expressing his backing for the 7-time world champion's pursuit of an eighth title.

Key Takeaways:

• Former F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone, who previously clashed with Lewis Hamilton, has now expressed support for Hamilton's pursuit of an eighth championship title.
• Ecclestone, in an interview with Sky Germany, expressed his hope that Hamilton achieves the historic eighth title, surpassing Michael Schumacher's record.
• Ecclestone also drew comparisons between Red Bull driver Max Verstappen and Schumacher, noting Verstappen's similarities but highlighting differences in their approach to racing.

Last year, following Nelson Piquet's use of a racist term to describe him, Hamilton questioned why "older voices" were allowed a forum to speak their thoughts. Responding to the seven-time-world champion's statement, Ecclestone clashed with him as he told the Daily Mail:

“Maybe the older generation are not interested in listening to what he has to say,”

However, this time, the F1 supremo has lent his support to Hamilton while speaking to Sky Germany on his bid to secure the eighth title. Backing the British driver, the 93-year-old said:

"I hope he makes it.

“He would then make history.”

If Hamilton manages to secure his eighth Formula 1 title, he will beat Michael Schumacher's record of seven and become the first driver ever to reach eight titles. Remembering Schumacher's Grand Prix days, Ecclestone compared Red Bull driver Max Verstappen to the 55-year-old legend. He said:

“Max Verstappen has a bit of [Schumacher] in him.

"Max isn't as merciless as Michael was.

“Because Michael didn't even think about making compromises." 

Max Verstappen won his third world championship title last year after ending a dominant season with 19 Grand Prix wins out of 22. His team Red Bull secured 21 out of 22 Grand Prix wins, courtesy of the Adrian Newey-designed masterpiece, the RB19 F1 car.