Ecclestone: If I owned an F1 team I'd go for Piastri and Hadjar

In a wide-ranging conversation with Károly Méhes of F1 Destinations, Ecclestone also weighed in on Ferrari shenanigans and Red Bull’s leadership after a turbulent first half of the season. Asked which drivers he would sign right now.

94-year-old Ecclestone was emphatic: “I would sign Piastri. But also Hadjar. I hope Bortoleto will get the job done because it is always good to have a successful Brazilian on the grid.”

On the title race, Ecclestone doubled down on his support for McLaren’s lead man: “The driver who leads the championship now [Oscar Piastri]. At the beginning of the season, I said Verstappen or Piastri. I wouldn’t write off Max completely, but it seems to be decided already.”

Ecclestone has long ties to Maranello and did not hide his frustration at the current trajectory: “It is quite incredible. Ferrari worked well under the leadership of Jean Todt, when he brought Michael and many other personnel from Benetton.

"At the moment, I cannot say anything negative about the Italian staff working for Ferrari, but I think the team needs someone to take charge, find the right direction and get the job done.”

He questioned the Hamilton signing while leaving the door open for a resurgence: “I am not sure that taking Lewis was the right decision. Lewis is obviously talented, but a little bit political, which is typical for Ferrari and typical for him. But he could come to life again which would be good for him and good for Ferrari.”

On the upheaval that ended Christian Horner’s two-decade tenure as team principal at Red Bull, Ecclestone offered a blunt view of the power struggle: “It was a bit like a marriage that ended in a divorce. After Didi Mateschitz’s [Red Bull founder’s] death, people inside Red Bull had ideas about the leadership and direction of the team that did not favor Christian.

"He did a very good job, but he was viewed, just like Max Verstappen, as someone who did not have a proper number two. It is hard to criticize someone who is winning races and championships, but there was no plan B in case something went wrong with either Christian or Max," ventured Ecclestone.

The once, long-time F1 supremo, apart from running the sport's commercial side, was also a World Champion team owner during his time at the helm of the Brabham organisation in the eighties.

Ecclestone’s tenure as a Formula 1 team owner centred on his ownership of the Brabham team from 1972 to 1987. Under his leadership, the team secured two Drivers’ Championships with Nelson Piquet in 1981 and 1983.

Famous for the innovative designs by Gordon Murray, who headed the design side, often taking F1 to the edge of technology, with the likes of the ground-effect BT46B "fan car," which won a race in 1978 before being withdrawn by Bernie "for the good of the sport" and thus avoiding a ban by the FIA..

Ecclestone’s focus was on strategic management and securing sponsorships, revolutionising team funding through branding deals. His pragmatic approach prioritised results, often pushing technical boundaries. However, financial pressures and his growing influence in F1’s governance led to Brabham’s sale in 1987.

Ecclestone’s ownership era showcased his ability to blend commercial acumen with racing success, leaving a lasting impact on Brabham’s legacy and Formula 1’s professionalisation, though his later role as F1’s commercial boss overshadowed his team ownership.