Lewis Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari this year has not led to the success that the seven-time world champion had in mind. After a disappointing first season at the Scuderia, in which the 40-year-old Briton struggled to regain his old form, experts are openly speculating about an early end to his career.
Well-known analysts and former drivers such as Martin Brundle, Nico Rosberg and Ralf Schumacher have previously indicated that they think Hamilton’s retirement is closer than his current situation at Ferrari suggests.
Former Formula 1 technician Marcin Budkowski outlines in the RacingNews365.com podcast a similar view of Hamilton’s possible future. When asked how long Hamilton will continue in 2026 before he decides to retire, he answers: “I think there are two factors. One is the results and how Ferrari performs, how competitive the car is.”
“And I think he will also look at how much fun he gets from it. He certainly didn’t enjoy the end of this year. I don’t think Lewis does it for the money, he has plenty of that.”
Results determine the future
While the Brit was initially enthusiastic about the challenge at Ferrari, there seems to be little left of that energy after a season in which the SF-25 could not match the competition from McLaren, Mercedes and Red Bull Racing.
According to Budkowski, Hamilton’s longer stay in Formula 1 largely depends on the results: “He is enthusiastic about the challenge with Ferrari. But if he cannot compete at the top because the car is not competitive enough or he himself is not competitive enough, I think he will quit.”
According to Budkowski, that decision will not have to wait long: “Whether that is a third of a season, I think that should be enough for him to get a clear picture. I don’t expect Lewis to stick around if he reaches the same level as this year. And I don’t think Ferrari wants him to stick around either. I think it will be a fairly simple discussion, if it comes to that.”
