Hamilton risks self-deception by persisting in his current path.
Lewis Hamilton's future in Formula 1 is shrouded in uncertainty as the British racing legend grapples with underperformance at Ferrari and advice from figures like Bernie Ecclestone to retire.
Ecclestone, a 94-year-old Briton and former Formula 1 administrator, has suggested that Hamilton should consider retiring to protect his legacy. In an interview with the Daily Mail, Ecclestone proposed potential replacements at Ferrari, stating that Hamilton has won enough with his seven world titles [5].
Hamilton's recent struggles include being outperformed by teammate Charles Leclerc and finishing 12th at the Hungarian Grand Prix. This has led Hamilton to describe feeling "useless" and suggest that Ferrari might need a driver change [1].
Despite the disappointing results, Hamilton has not announced retirement. On August 8, 2025, he dismissed retirement rumors after teasing an announcement, which turned out to be the launch of a new non-alcoholic drink brand he co-founded, Almave Humo [4].
Rumors about a possible return to Mercedes have been strongly dismissed by Ralf Schumacher. Schumacher noted Hamilton’s age (40), high financial expectations, and the emergence of young talents as barriers to such a move [2].
In summary, Hamilton’s options include:
- Continuing with Ferrari for the remainder of his contract amid significant performance pressure.
- Potentially retiring to preserve his legacy, as suggested by Bernie Ecclestone.
- Unlikely but speculated returns to other teams like Mercedes appear closed off.
- Exploring roles beyond driving, such as business ventures or media.
Hamilton's future hinges on performance improvements, contractual situations with Ferrari, and personal decisions influenced by his current mental and physical state within F1 competition [1][4][5].
Ecclestone, who referred to Hamilton as his friend in the same interview, sees no reason for Hamilton to take more risks. Hamilton's retirement could lead to him doing things outside of motorsport, potentially opening new avenues for the seven-time world champion.
"I'm not going to be able to do this football match on Sunday, as I'm grappling with my current challenges in Formula 1."
"Despite Bernie Ecclestone's advice to retire, Lewis Hamilton might choose to pursue other ventures such as starting a sports analysis show or a sports-themed business, demonstrating his love for sports beyond Formula 1."
