Bernie Ecclestone called out Lewis Hamilton for “not playing fair” with Max Verstappen in the title race.
Hamilton sits on level pegging with Max Verstappen in the championship battle, having overturned a 21-point lead in the span of a few races. Momentum is more on his side, but it is a clean slate in the final race at Abu Dhabi.
The seven-time world champion was almost written off, but he reminded everyone that he can never be dismissed. He went from second-best to a man who wants that record-breaking eighth world championship.
However, Ecclestone called out Hamilton for “not playing fair” in his pursuit of the championship.
“Max is a kid compared to Lewis and the worst thing is Lewis has a massive publicity campaign working for him,” Ecclestone told AFP, as quoted by First Post.
“They have been pushing down all the time on Max and then the race directors have been looking in because Toto (Wolff) goes to the race director.
“Max has more than a race to confront as he has them too on his back because they are bullying him and not playing fair. It is psychological game playing.”
Mind games activated
The 91-year-old also suggested that when it comes to the psychological games, Hamilton is in a league of his own.
“Max has had a few years of racing, but has not had years in the streets like Lewis,” he continued.
“It has built character and knowing he would win the race with Mercedes being the dominant force over the past few years has made him a much stronger character than Max.
“For Max, this season is the first one he has had a car capable of winning regularly whereas before, it was nothing like competitive,” he concluded.
Read more: Ecclestone hails departed friend Frank Williams – “He was too busy to give death an audience”