Ferrari would pick Max Verstappen over Lewis Hamilton, claims Bernie Ecclestone

Bernie Ecclestone believes if Ferrari had to pick between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen to be one of their drivers, the Italian team would go with the latter driver.

Verstappen's long-term future at Red Bull Racing is uncertain, with the eight-time Grand Prix winner only under contract with the Milton Keynes-based squad until the end of the 2020 season.

Hamilton is in a similar situation to his rival Verstappen, with the six-time world champion under contract with Mercedes until the end of next season and may look elsewhere in the latter stages of his illustrious career.

Former Formula 1 owner Ecclestone believes if Ferrari had the choice between the two drivers, then they'd pick the younger and fresher Verstappen to partner Charles Leclerc.

"If Ferrari had a choice of Lewis or Max, I think they would go for Max, for the same reason they like Charles," Ecclestone said to the Daily Mail. "With Sebastian Vettel or Lewis they will only get a couple of years, but with the younger two they might get 10 years. I'm not sure Max isn't the best guy at the moment, including Lewis."