Ecclestone says Hamilton has to work hard

Bernie Ecclestone has said Lewis Hamilton is going to face an uphill task to prove himself as the main man at McLaren.

London: Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone has said former F1 champion Lewis Hamilton is going to face an uphill task to prove himself as the main man at McLaren, as he faces stiff competition from team mate Jenson Button.

He feels Button can beat 2008 F1 champion Hamilton this season again. “For sure, Jenson could beat Lewis again. Lewis is going to be quick, there is no doubt about that,” a daily Ecclestone, as saying. “I get the feeling he’s really positive and fired up this year. But everyone has seen what Jenson is capable of as well. I think Jenson will give him a good run for his money,” he said. Button became the first teammate in 19 years to beat Hamilton over a season. Hamilton continued to suffer for the absence of his father, Anthony, and the poignant split from pop star girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger. Ecclestone believes Hamilton wasn’t at his best last season due to his personal problems but warned that if he has retained his concentration level then he can be very fast. “Lewis last year was a bit out of sorts with personal things maybe he has got his concentration back a bit. If he has, then he’s going to be bloody quick,” Ecclestone said. “Jenson is a completely different driver. He looks after the car, he nurses it and his tyres a little bit better so it is more than likely that Jenson will be a big problem for him,” he added. ANI