Ferrari told to replace Lewis Hamilton with talent team boss called a ‘B driver’ after act Michael Schumacher ‘never would’ve done’

Lewis Hamilton’s statements about Ferrari replacing him haven’t exactly gone down brilliantly.

The seven-time Formula 1 champion hit a new low last time out at the Hungarian Grand Prix, qualifying 12th, 11 places below teammate and pole sitter Charles Leclerc.

Hamilton had a horror weekend in Hungary and then said the team should replace himCredit: GettyHe called himself ‘useless’ post-session and said ‘the team probably needs to change driver’ and he then managed to only stay 12th in Sunday’s race.

Responding to the shock performance, former F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone said Hamilton ‘may want to move over’ and he’s since said who Ferrari should be looking at to replace his fellow Brit.

He told the Daily Mail: “If I were Ferrari I would take one if [Isaac] Hadjar or [Gabriel] Bortoleto.

“Hadjar impressed on his debut, he’s fast, consistent, and a good person. Bortoleto is very talented. Both represent the future.”

read more on lewis hamiltonThe pair of rookies sit 13th and 17th respectively in the driver’s standings with the lower placed Bortoleto on a spectacular run of form.

The Formula 2 champion has scored points in three of the last four races in a car that began the season as arguably the slowest.

It’s also been a month of redemption for the Brazilian, who was criticised by Red Bull head of driver development Helmut Marko pre-season.

Discussing the five new rookies in 2025, he said of Bortoleto: “I would classify him as a B driver.

“He’s a very intelligent driver: he won the Formula 3 championship, but with just one victory, and he usually stays out of trouble.

“In Formula 2, he only achieved two victories. He’s a driver who brings the car home safely, has a good command of strategy and tyre management, but I don’t see that raw speed in him.”

Bortoleto is rubbing Marko’s comments in his face with his current form, and now Ecclestone thinks he’s good enough for FerrariCredit: GettyResponding at the time before doing so on the track, Bortoleto said: “I don’t care. I mean, I’ve seen that, and I love challenges.

“Hearing that from Helmut, he’s a guy who has put a lot of talent in Formula 1 and has put a lot of wrong talents in F1. So, you can see he got it right and wrong, and hopefully I will prove him wrong with the time.

“But nothing I say now in the media will change his mind, just my results on track. I’m sure I’ll prove him wrong at some point and hopefully he will admit this when I prove him wrong.

“For now, I’m just focussing on doing my job and improving and doing the best I can.

“I’m proud of what I did in junior series and I won in F2 and F3 against the Red Bull drivers he has, so good for me.”

Bortoleto has certainly been one of the performers of the season in F1, and his season-best sixth place last time out may well have caught Ferrari’s attention.

Hamilton is on his longest-ever run without a podium, but he’s been told his negativity isn’t helpingCredit: AFP

Hamilton has been told to learn from the greatsYet as it stands, Hamilton is far more likely to see out his multi-year contract, particularly with sweeping rule changes for 2026 that could help him return to winning ways.

However, in the short term, he may need to ease off on the negative language.

Hamilton’s negativity isn’t helpfulAsked to comment on Hamilton’s statements about him being ‘useless’, former Ferrari driver Jean Alesi wasn’t complimentary, comparing the 40-year-old negatively to two of his heroes.

“I think this attitude demoralises those who work with him,” the Frenchman said.

Read More on talkSPORT“[Ayrton] Senna or [Michael] Schumacher would never have said something like that.”

Hamilton now has three weeks to think over his comments, with F1 on a summer break until the Dutch Grand Prix from August 29 to 31.