Hamilton Urged to Retire After Ferrari Stint in Controversial Rant
Lewis Hamilton has been urged to step away from Formula 1 after securing a potential eighth world championship, following his recent move to Ferrari. Dutch racing driver Tom Coronel has voiced his opinion in a blunt critique, suggesting that Hamilton should make Ferrari his final destination in the sport and retire on a high.
The seven-time world champion joined Ferrari last year after a challenging few seasons with Mercedes, where he struggled to contend for titles. His long-anticipated debut with the Scuderia saw him don the iconic red race suit for the first time last week, completing his first official test with the team. Fans are eagerly awaiting his first race for Ferrari, set to take place at the season opener in Melbourne. With his eyes firmly set on breaking Michael Schumacher’s record and claiming an unprecedented eighth world championship, Hamilton enters 2025 with renewed determination.
Hamilton’s contract with Ferrari is a multi-year deal covering the 2025 and 2026 seasons, although the exact end date has not been disclosed. However, Coronel believes that the 39-year-old should retire once he achieves his ultimate goal of another championship, using Ferrari as the platform for a triumphant exit from the sport.
“Ferrari should be Hamilton’s final destination,” Coronel told RacingNews365. “If he becomes world champion in that red suit, he should disappear from the sport. He would have achieved everything he set out to do. Then it’s time for him to move on and do other things in life.”
Coronel went on to comment on Ferrari’s strong finish to the 2024 season, suggesting that they are well-positioned for success this year. “At the end of last season, Ferrari was the strongest. So, Hamilton should focus on starting 2025 strong and finishing it off with a championship. In his first year with Ferrari, he could achieve something truly special, and then he’d have nothing left to prove.”
Coronel also shared his preference for Max Verstappen to remain the dominant force in Formula 1. “Of course, I would prefer to see Max as champion. He’s already proven his dominance by winning the title last year and the two years before that. If Hamilton comes back and takes the title, though, that would make for an exciting showdown. Imagine the final race between Max and Hamilton, with Hamilton winning in a red Ferrari—it would be the perfect storybook ending.”
Coronel added that it would take courage for Hamilton to walk away after such an achievement. “If Hamilton has the guts to say, ‘I’ve done it all. I drove for Ferrari and became champion again. Now I’m leaving motorsport,’ that would cement his legacy forever. He would end his career on a high note.”
While opinions remain divided on when Hamilton should retire, one thing is certain: his partnership with Ferrari has reignited excitement in the sport. Fans and pundits alike are eager to see if the Briton can deliver on his ambitions and write the final chapter of his illustrious career with a historic title win.
