Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone is wary 2017 could be dominated by one man, Lewis Hamilton.
The Briton has admitted the retirement of world champion Nico Rosberg was “not good” for the sport and is concerned Mercedes will not find a competitive replacement for the German.
The list of drivers being considered for the empty seat alongside Hamilton seems to have dwindled to just two with the Brackley-based team strongly chasing Williams’ Valtteri Bottas with reserve Pascal Wehrlein waiting if a deal cannot be done.
New-look cars for next season could threaten Mercedes’ recent domination in F1, but should they remain the clear fastest outfit on the grid, Ecclestone is concerned it would be a major turn-off for fans.
“I think nobody would want to buy tickets and go to watch a race or watch on television Lewis disappearing from us when the lights go off,” he was quoted by ESPN.
“It would be bad for everybody and bad for Lewis as well, because I think he wants to win fair and wants to beat somebody.”
The 84-year-old did hope his negative outlook was “completely wrong” and that the man who did step into the second Mercedes for 2017 “can beat him or hurry him up [so] that he makes mistakes”.
However, he concluded: “My personal opinion is that it’s not going to happen.”
Most believe that if any team is capable of catching the Silver Arrows next season it would be Red Bull, who made massive strides in 2016 and could match Mercedes on race pace towards the end of the year.
The increased role of aerodynamics next year should also suit the Milton Keynes team who themselves dominated the last aero era from 2010-2013.
If that is the case then Ecclestone believes, in a similar car, one man could potentially trouble Hamilton’s quest for a fourth world title.
“Verstappen has been super,” he said. “When I say nobody [can challenge], maybe Max in that car could hurry Lewis along a little bit.
“The problem is a simple one: the Mercedes team, engine, everything, is perfect and they’ve got the best driver in the world.”
