Ecclestone: "If I were a team boss, I would attract Verstappen"

Before becoming the big boss of Formula 1, Bernie Ecclestone was team boss of the famous Brabham. There he had greats such as Niki Lauda and Nelson Piquet under his wing. So he knows better than anyone how to deal with the big stars of Formula 1.

The biggest star in Formula 1 at the moment is, of course, Lewis Hamilton. There has been talk of a dream transfer from the Brit to Ferrari for some time, but Ecclestone advises him against that.

"He is comfortable there. He is in charge. He's got the guy who turns the lights on and off supporting him [team principal Toto Wolff]. It wouldn't work at Ferrari for him. They are Italians. He would have to really learn the language so he'd know what they were saying behind his back, for a start," he said in a conversation with The Daily Mail. 

Conversely, Hamilton wouldn't be Ecclestone's first choice if he were team boss with a team. For Hamilton, in the case of Mercedes , he would have special treatment. But if you now have to attract a driver, someone else is preferred.

"If I were a team boss I'd sign Max [Verstappen from Red Bull]. He's quick and easy to deal with. If I had Lewis I'd just tell him what time the next race starts and say be there for then. Apart from that, he could do whatever he wants. I'd cut his pay and let him do his own sponsorship, anything. Mercedes try to rein him in a bit. I'd give him total freedom," he added.