Former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has spoken of the possibility of Sebastian Vettel joining Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes for 2021, believing that such a driver pairing would create a 'super team.'
Ferrari recently announced that the team and Vettel are to part ways at the end of the season, with McLaren's Carlos Sainz taking his seat for 2021.
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Speaking to RTL, Ecclestone said that the pairing of Vettel and Hamilton was something that would really benefit F1 and its fans and that he could see no problems arising within the team.
“I’d like to see him at Mercedes,” Ecclestone said. “I’d like to see him against Lewis Hamilton, I think that would be good for Formula 1, good for the sport, good for the people watching.
“I think both of them get along with each other without any problems. It’s not a case of what their egos are, both have super talent. So it would make a super, super team.
“I don’t see any problem with Lewis being concerned at all and I know Sebastian would love to have the opportunity to race against him."
Speaking also about why Vettel never managed to win a title during his five seasons with the team, Ecclestone said that he thought it was down to no real leadership in the teams.
Vettel had hoped to find championship success with Ferrari to emulate his hero Michael Schumacher, but as of this season never managed to take a title with the team.
“Michael’s situation with Ferrari was a little bit different because I once said to him, ‘who’s running the team?’ He said ‘I am.’ That’s probably the truth why they’re so successful." Ecclestone added.
“The trouble with Italians, they haven’t really got a lot of leaders…they haven’t got a leader in my opinion. The person in charge of the team is basically a super engineer, he’s been with Ferrari for more than 20 years.”
Replies (8)
Login to replyPistonhead
Posts: 556
Love to see that too - its a long shot though and I like the chances of yesterdays Coulthard suggestion better - to Aston Martin.
essaouira311
Posts: 158
Hohoho....
The old dog is always right...
That's the point, Bernie! Seb at Mercedes!
The ABSOLUTE super team. Greater than Prost-Senna because Seb and Lewis will NEVER become enemies. They deeply respect each other.
It would be the most amaaaaazing period in F1 history...
As the GREAT Niki once said, "Bernie is always TWO steps ahead... NOT one. TWO."
essaouira311
Posts: 158
And, OF COURSE, Ferrari's problem is leadership. NOT the car, NOT the drivers. But the heads of the team. Since the era Brawn and Todt, Ferrari have NEVER had a real and efficient leader. (Once again Bernie is ahead...)
f1dave
Posts: 782
I would like to see how "team orders" would work with these two.
mcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
Merc would need a lot of fire extinguishers. That being said, it would be the pair with most world championships ever in F1 between them. Few competitive races should erase the 'respect' nonsense, perhaps by Spanish GP.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I'd love it. Merc' would be mad to take the deal, but I'd love it, and it'd be what F1 needs.
greatbigdong
Posts: 53
It would be brilliant to see, but I feel Lewis would crush Vettel.
essaouira311
Posts: 158
That's most possible. However, we could have the chance to see an "improved", more down-to-earth and less emotional Seb. Lewis is not aggressive, he's just a super driver, who always gives space and plays it straight.