Former long-time Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone believes that record world champion Lewis Hamilton should consider retirement in the wake of poor results.

Hamilton, 40, has had a difficult start at Ferrari after 12 years at Mercedes where he won six of his record-tying seven world titles.

Apart from a race victory in China he has been largely outperformed by team-mate Charles Leclerc. He finished 12th at the last grand prix on Sunday in Hungary where he said after qualifying he was “useless” and suggested Ferrari should replace him.

Ecclestone, 94, who ran the sport for some 40 years until 2017, told Britain’s Daily Mail that Hamilton should put an end to the frustrating phase and call it a day in the sport.

“The guy is not a cheat. But he would be cheating himself if he goes on. He should stop now,” Ecclestone said.

“If I were looking after him I would negotiate with Ferrari immediately and say, ‘If you have someone to replace Lewis, he’ll step aside.'”

Hamilton has a Ferrari contract for three seasons but Ecclestone said: “Lewis is tired. He’s been doing what he is doing forever. He needs a rest from it for good, a total reset to do something completely different.

‘He may not think it but he will soon get used to doing other stuff away from motor racing in retirement. I think he should have done it a while ago.”

Ecclestone added: “I wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to Lewis. He’s not fighting for a world championship and is at a stage of his life when it wouldn’t be worth him spending two years laid up in bed with a broken back or anything else nasty.

“He doesn’t need to take the risk any longer. He’s won seven world titles and that is quite enough.”