As speculation over Sebastian Vettel's future continues, Bernie Ecclestone - a good friend of the four-time world champion - believes the German should head to Mercedes to partner Lewis Hamilton.

It's understood that Daimler is keen on the idea, and Toto Wolff has admitted that it would be "good marketing", but other than the fact that Hamilton appears to prefer having Valtteri Bottas in the second car there is still considerable doubt as to the future of the Silver Arrows.

Nonetheless, aware that the sport is clearly going to struggle the longer the threat from the coronavirus continues, and even beyond, Ecclestone believes pairing Vettel with Hamilton would be good for everyone.

"I'd like to see him at Mercedes," he told RTL. "Obviously. I'd like to see him against Lewis, I think that would be good for Formula 1, good for the sport, good for the people watching.

"I think both of them get along with each other without any problems," he added. "It's not a case of what their egos are, both have super talent. So it would make a super, super team.

"I don't see any problem with Lewis being concerned at all and I know Sebastian would love to have the opportunity to race against him."

Asked why he thought the four-time champion had never come anywhere near to achieving the success of his great hero, Michael Schumacher with the Italian team, Ecclestone is in no doubt.

"Michael's situation with Ferrari was a little bit different," he said, "I once said to him, 'who's running the team?' He said 'I am'. That's probably the truth, why they're so successful.

"The trouble with Italians, they haven't really got a lot of leaders," he continued, "they haven't got a leader in my opinion. The person in charge of the team is basically a super engineer, he's been with Ferrari for more than 20 years."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by kdxrider, 22/05/2020 23:11

"Quite frankly, I think that would be the worst case scenario you could possible put together. For the last four years we've had to put up with so-called experts saying we don't want anymore Mercedes/Hamilton domination, just about every media pundit groans when both are out on a romp. So why would having Vettel join Mercedes to create a "super-team" make it any different."

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2. Posted by BrightonCorgi, 22/05/2020 17:38

"Mercedes is crazy to make any changes. They're like 1&2 almost every race since Hamilton joined and Bottas knows he has just a good shot at the Drivers' as Rossberg did. Don't mess with a winning formula.

Aston Martin is the only place I see Vettel going, but that won't be until 2022."

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3. Posted by 4-Wheel Drifter, 22/05/2020 17:33

"I'm thinking Bernie's just stirring the pot here, not so much interested in what happens as what might happen owing to him getting quoted. I have no idea how friendly he and Seb are but ask yourself "If I were Seb, what would I think of him saying I claimed to be heading the team at Ferrari? I imagine myself also asking, if I were Lewis, what would I think of him claiming I would be fine with Seb as a partner? In both cases, you have a notorious hustler claiming to know what two very bright & competitive drivers think of one another. AND TOLD him! The only thing I agree with Bernie on is that he's right on two counts: it would make for a super team and it would be good for F1 from a business point of view. As to rumors about Mercedes' interest in Seb --pure speculation. The Germans tend to keep their cards very close to their vests. Why let ANYONE know what your thinking is, never mind BERNIE!"

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4. Posted by kenji, 22/05/2020 15:17

"I very much doubt that Vettel will drive a Mercedes as long as Hamilton is there. The reason being that IMO Mercedes are only interested in having Hamilton become the biggest winner in F1 since inception and that means him achieving eight WDC's and thus eclipsing Shumachers record and in a Mercedes. That is the ultimate Mercedes dream surely. I also believe that Hamilton himself wouldn't take to kindly in having to actually race against a formidable team mate. I recall a few years back when Ricciardo was mentioned as a possible replacement for Bottas, Wolff poured cold water on that by stating that 'he didn't want to upset the 'equilibrium' of the team'. Wolff knew that Ricciardo would take Hamilton on and likely beat him if given identical machinery. It was also rumoured that Hamilton endorsed this despite him stating publically that 'it would be a privilege to race against Ricciardo in the same team'!!!! No, IMO, Vettel will not go there. Wolff/Mercedes will ensure that Hamilton comes under no pressure whilst seeking his eighth WDC and Mercedes their eighth WCC."

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5. Posted by Hondaunearthed, 22/05/2020 14:16

"I don’t think Hamilton would have a thing to worry about if it were to happen. I imagine Vettel would get slaughtered. Vettel won his championships in an extremely dominant car as well as having the team Focus nearly solely on him, Webber was put under command numerous times or “had issues”. Dan Ric than also went onto wipe his feet on Vettel as he left RB, so I doubt Hamilton would be too troubled. In My opinion."

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6. Posted by BrightonCorgi, 22/05/2020 12:48

"Bernie is always right, but some don't like the answer."

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7. Posted by Italian Job, 22/05/2020 10:54

"Two good pub quiz questions:
How many Italians have won a F1 World Chimp in a Ferrari?
Name them!"

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8. Posted by Wokingchap, 22/05/2020 10:52

"He's right, bad leadership. Ferrari only win championships with foreigners at the helm."

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Ecclestone wants Vettel at Mercedes with Hamilton

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