F1 | Lewis Hamilton has already chosen when to retire: the detail that will define his future with Ferrari. Lewis Hamilton’s podium drought with Ferrari has matched Didier Pironi’s record.

Hamilton and his Ferrari podium drought: equaling Didier Pironi, Riccardo Patrese discusses the seven-time world champion’s future

Lewis Hamilton has reached an unenviable milestone after the Singapore Grand Prix with Ferrari. The seven-time Formula 1 world champion has now equaled Didier Pironi’s record, going 18 races with the Scuderia without stepping onto the podium. It is a surprising statistic, especially considering the immense excitement and anticipation that surrounded his arrival in Maranello at the start of the season.

The British driver has shown flashes of brilliance on several occasions but has not yet been able to translate them into strong Sunday race results. During this campaign, Lewis Hamilton has claimed a Sprint pole position in China and went on to win the Sprint race in Shanghai, while in Miami he secured third place in another Sprint event. However, in the main Grands Prix, his best result so far remains a fourth-place finish, achieved at Imola, Austria, and Silverstone.

Hamilton has two more years before retirement

Despite these difficulties, former Italian Formula 1 driver Riccardo Patrese has urged patience, stressing that Lewis Hamilton still has time to pursue what would be his record-breaking eighth world championship title — a goal that would make him the most successful driver in Formula 1 history. In an interview with Escapist Magazine, Patrese offered a balanced reflection on the British driver’s current situation.

“Lewis can do whatever he wants, but I think he wants to end his career with good results and, if possible, with his eighth title,” explained Riccardo Patrese. “Next year, with the new regulations and a new car, he will have the opportunity to play his cards right. At that point, I believe he will give himself one more year, and then perhaps he will say goodbye.”

The Italian veteran also expressed his hope that Lewis Hamilton could leave a lasting positive mark in Maranello before stepping away from the sport. “If I were in his position, I would fight until the end to return to achieving the best possible results. I hope that with his experience he can offer useful advice on how to organize the team more efficiently from the inside. I truly hope so because I’m Italian, and I have a son who races with Ferrari, so I’m emotionally connected to the team,” he added.

Riccardo Patrese, who never drove for the Scuderia during his own F1 career, admitted that he still feels a strong attachment to the Prancing Horse. “I was never a Ferrari driver, but I’ve always been a bit of a Ferrari fan, so I really hope they find a solution,” he said.

A decisive phase for Hamilton and Ferrari

The words of the former driver perfectly summarize the phase that Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari are currently experiencing: a moment of transition and adaptation, as they await the new technical regulations coming into effect in 2026. That new era could offer both the team and the driver a fresh opportunity to reverse the current trend and aim higher once again.

After 18 races without a podium, the seven-time world champion still has the chance to write a new chapter of his legendary career — and perhaps do so wearing Ferrari red. The coming seasons will determine whether Lewis Hamilton’s move to Maranello will ultimately be remembered as a bold new beginning or as a missed opportunity in the twilight of an extraordinary journey.