Hamilton’s Career Timeline Assessed by Ferrari Legend A…read more
As Lewis Hamilton embarks on a new chapter in his illustrious Formula 1 career with Ferrari, questions are already being raised about how long the seven-time world champion will remain in the sport. The 40-year-old British driver made a high-profile switch from Mercedes to Ferrari at the beginning of the 2024 season, aiming to end the Scuderia’s long-standing title drought that stretches back to 2008. However, the transition has been anything but smooth.
After the first eight race weekends of the 2025 season, Hamilton finds himself sitting sixth in the drivers’ championship with just 63 points. This underwhelming start has not only disappointed fans but has also raised eyebrows within the paddock. Notably, Hamilton is trailing his younger teammate, Charles Leclerc, by 16 points and lags behind 7-1 in the qualifying head-to-head battle. The pressure is mounting as expectations for the veteran are sky-high at Ferrari, the most successful team in F1 history.
Offering his perspective on Hamilton’s longevity in Formula 1, former Ferrari driver Rubens Barrichello has shared both admiration and caution. Speaking to Samba Slots, the 11-time grand prix winner reflected on the physical and mental demands of the sport. “I’m 52 years old now, and I don’t have the same physical condition I had when I was 40,” Barrichello said. “But, my mental health and the way I’ve learned that we’re not here to just live, but to learn, teach, and live life to the fullest — I am much better in my mind management now than when I was 40.”
Barrichello praised Hamilton’s physical condition, calling it “superb,” and acknowledged that talent is not an issue for the British star. However, he posed an important question about Hamilton’s mental stamina and patience: “Can Hamilton wait five years for Ferrari to become competitive? For sure, there is no lack of talent. But it’s a question of mental capacity — whether he still has the appetite and motivation to keep pushing.”
This sentiment has echoed elsewhere in the F1 world. Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher has also expressed doubt over whether Hamilton will fulfill his current contract, which runs until the end of the 2026 season. With the 2026 regulation changes looming large, Ferrari’s ability to deliver a truly competitive car could be the defining factor in Hamilton’s decision to stay or walk away from the sport.
Hamilton’s legacy is firmly cemented in the annals of Formula 1 history, thanks to his record-equalling seven world championships and dominant spell with Mercedes. Yet, the past few seasons have seen a dip in form and results, and his first year with Ferrari has yet to show the resurgence many had hoped for. The recent Monaco Grand Prix further underscored this challenging period. While Leclerc celebrated his home race with a podium, Hamilton finished a distant fifth, almost 50 seconds behind his teammate.
As the 2025 season unfolds, all eyes are on Hamilton to see whether he can reignite his form and whether Ferrari can provide a car capable of winning. The 2026 regulations offer a glimmer of hope for a competitive shake-up, but for a driver who has already accomplished so much, the question remains: does he have the desire and drive to continue, or is the clock ticking on one of F1’s most iconic careers?
Only time will tell, but for now, the spotlight remains firmly on Lewis Hamilton and his future in Formula 1.
