"Wolff is getting a bit fed up with Hamilton"

Ecclestone, former owner of Formula 1, told The Daily Mail: "Toto is getting a bit fed up with Lewis. I don't think he's trying, do you? Let's put it another way, Lewis doesn't seem bothered about losing. It's not like him. He has a competitive nature - but he's taking losing a bit easy for my liking."

Hamilton currently holds seven world titles, as many as record-breaking champion Michael Schumacher. The Briton would like to add an eighth World Championship title to his record, but that does not look likely to happen until 2023 at the earliest. Mercedes will have to make huge strides in any case and the question is whether Wolff's team will succeed. Hamilton is still under contract next year, but Ecclestone does not rule out an earlier end to the cooperation.

The 91-year-old billionaire continues: "Lewis might sell his position to Toto. ‘This is how much I am getting, I'll step down and give me half of what I would get.’ Toto can go and do one of his magic deals, offer someone less money and keep £20m. Nobody needs to tell Toto this because he has already thought of it. Lewis would probably stop under those circumstances", said Ecclestone.

Finally, Ecclestone says he is a little surprised by Russell's good performance. However, he also takes into account that the driver, who came over from Williams, now looks very good because Hamilton is simply performing badly.