Bernie Ecclestone dismissed rumors about a potential partnership with Christian Horner to acquire a stake in Alpine, suggesting that Lewis Hamilton‘s eighth title chances are more likely than such a collaboration coming to fruition. The former Formula 1 boss made this remark ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix amid speculation around Horner’s next career move following his sudden exit from Red Bull.
Christian Horner’s unexpected dismissal by Red Bull sparked widespread conjecture regarding where the 51-year-old might resume his Formula 1 involvement. Alpine was among the teams rumored to be a possible destination, with talk of a joint effort between Horner and Ecclestone to buy equity in the French outfit. This came despite Alpine’s consistent denials about any plans to sell the team, which has also faced frequent changes in leadership, cycling through four team principals over five years.
Faced with inquiries about these claims, the 94-year-old Ecclestone firmly rejected the notion, stating:
“I think more chance of Lewis [Hamilton] winning his eighth title than that happening.”
This is consistent with Ecclestone’s earlier skepticism regarding Hamilton’s future within F1, especially around the Briton’s move to Ferrari, a team long chasing championship success.
Lewis Hamilton’s Efforts to Revive Ferrari’s Championship Legacy
Ferrari’s last constructors’ championship dates back to 2008, coincidentally the year Lewis Hamilton secured his first drivers’ title with McLaren. Since then, Hamilton has added six more championships, while the Italian team has endured a lengthy absence from title glory. Attempts by former champions such as Kimi Raikkonen, Fernando Alonso, and Sebastian Vettel throughout the 2010s failed to restore Ferrari’s dominant status.
Hamilton, however, remains determined not to follow the same path of unfulfilled ambition at Maranello. Reflecting on Ferrari’s struggles despite having a roster of world-class drivers, he stated:
“If you look at the team over the last 20 years, they’ve had amazing drivers. They had Kimi [Raikkonen], they had Fernando [Alonso], they had Sebastian [Vettel], all World Champions; however, they didn’t win a World Champion[ship], and for me, I refuse for that to be the case, so I’m going the extra mile.”
“Obviously I’m very fortunate to have had experiences in two other great teams, and whilst things are for sure going to be different because there’s a different culture and everything, I think sometimes if you take the same path all the time you get the same results, so I’m just challenging certain things.”
These remarks highlight Hamilton’s reflective approach and willingness to challenge Ferrari’s traditional culture in pursuit of a championship breakthrough that has eluded the team for over a decade.
Current Performance and Championship Context
At present, Lewis Hamilton stands sixth in the drivers’ championship after 13 rounds, having accumulated 109 points. While his place in the standings shows some distance from the front runners, his experience and resilience keep him a noteworthy contender as the season progresses. The unresolved questions around his future with Ferrari and the wider sport continue to fuel speculation.
Bernie Ecclestone’s dismissal of the Horner-Alpine partnership rumors underscores the uncertain dynamics behind the scenes in Formula 1’s evolving landscape. Meanwhile, Hamilton’s quest for an eighth title carries significant weight, not just for his personal legacy but for Ferrari’s efforts to reclaim its former status.
How this season unfolds will be critical in shaping Hamilton’s place in F1 history and determining whether Ferrari’s long wait for another championship is finally over.
