Former Formula 1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone believes the sport needs Lewis Hamilton “more than ever” after claiming his fifth title in Mexico.
The Briton tied Juan Manuel Fangio in second on the all-time list with his latest championship and now sits just two behind Michael Schumacher, a figure some believe is now attainable for the 33-year-old.
But for Bernie, it is the commercial appeal Hamilton has which is one of his greatest assets and that is something he highlighted in his congratulatory comments.
“The guy is just phenomenal,” he was quoted by PlanetF1. “He is simply the best – on many levels.
“He is the best driver, he gets better and better under pressure, and he does so much more for F1 worldwide than anyone else.
“He’s the attraction at a time when F1 is not so exciting. He keeps F1 racing, it needs Lewis more than ever.”
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Also adding his voice to the many praising Hamilton is the only man to have beaten him since 2014, his former Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg.
“For Lewis now, with five titles, unbelievable,” said the German. “It’s crazy to think, and equalling Fangio – crazy.
“He can seriously go for Schumacher’s records now. He’s got two more years on the contract, and Schumi is only two titles away, 20 race wins away, even that’s possible in two years.
“It’s amazing. He can really try to become statistically the best of all-time, which is unreal, but it is a possibility, and I’m sure he’s going to be motivated by that.”