Should Lewis Hamilton Seriously Start to C… read more
Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 season was one of the most highly anticipated transfers in recent memory. A seven-time world champion switching allegiances after over a decade with Mercedes promised a new chapter — one filled with hope, history, and a potential return to title contention. Yet, the early part of his Ferrari career has been anything but triumphant. Following a difficult Spanish Grand Prix where Hamilton was notably off the pace compared to teammate Charles Leclerc, questions are understandably being raised about whether it is time for the British icon to consider calling time on his legendary F1 career.
The Barcelona race served as a painful illustration of Hamilton’s current struggles. After qualifying fifth, he was asked to move aside for Leclerc during the race — a move that, while tactically sound for Ferrari, must have stung the pride of a man who has built his career on being the lead driver. Hamilton ultimately finished seventh, later promoted to sixth due to a penalty handed to Max Verstappen. Yet his body language and brief media appearance spoke volumes. Nodding in frustration when asked if he was annoyed, Hamilton’s demeanour suggested a man not only disheartened but perhaps disillusioned.
It would be premature to write off Hamilton entirely based on a handful of races. He remains one of the most successful drivers in the sport’s history, and his sprint race win earlier this season in China was a reminder that the fire still burns within him. However, F1 is not a sport that offers much in the way of sympathy. It’s a ruthless battleground, and with each passing race, the perception grows that Hamilton’s best years may be behind him.
Hamilton’s current contract with Ferrari runs for two years, with an option to extend. In many ways, 2025 is seen as a transitional year — a time to settle into the team, help develop the car, and build chemistry with engineers and staff. This is also the final season under the current technical regulations, which haven’t suited Hamilton well since their introduction in 2022. The 2026 regulation changes, which bring a major overhaul in car design and power unit technology, are being viewed by some as a potential lifeline for Hamilton’s resurgence. If Ferrari can nail the new rules, there’s still a chance for him to return to the top.
But this optimistic view hinges on Hamilton’s desire to endure another development cycle. At 40, he is now the oldest driver on the grid. His off-track interests, from fashion to activism and his burgeoning business ventures, are pulling him in new directions. The question is no longer whether he can keep going — it’s whether he wants to.
That said, Hamilton’s competitive spirit is unmatched. Few athletes possess his resilience or his ability to reinvent themselves in the face of adversity. The move to Ferrari itself was an audacious bet on change and challenge. Retirement talk may be swirling now, but knowing Hamilton, he might use this moment as fuel — a spark to reignite his motivation and prove doubters wrong.
Still, fans and critics alike will be watching closely. If the remainder of the 2025 season continues to bring disappointment and if he’s consistently outpaced by Leclerc, the decision to walk away may begin to feel like the dignified and logical next step.
For now, Hamilton has time — and the clout — to decide his own ending. Whether it’s in 2026 or beyond, he’ll want to go out on his own terms, ideally fighting at the front. But after Barcelona, it’s clear: the clock is ticking, and the next few months could shape the final act of an extraordinary career.
