According to former Alpine executive Marcin Budkowski, two key factors could push Lewis Hamilton to say goodbye not only to Ferrari, but also to Formula 1 itself.
Lewis Hamilton’s first season with Ferrari ended without a single Grand Prix podium, an unprecedented outcome in the career of the seven-time world champion. The only victory for both the Maranello-based team and the British driver came at the beginning of 2025, in the Sprint race at the Chinese Grand Prix. Charles Leclerc, on the other hand, managed to secure seven podium finishes but never went beyond second place. According to former Alpine executive Marcin Budkowski, Lewis Hamilton could seriously consider not only leaving Ferrari, but also retiring from racing altogether at the end of the 2026 season, based on two specific factors.
The decision in 2026?
Speaking on the RacingNews365 podcast, Marcin Budkowski, former executive director at Alpine, shared his thoughts on Lewis Hamilton’s future at Ferrari and in Formula 1. During the episode, two main points emerged that could carry significant weight in the decision-making process of the seven-time world champion, although everything will ultimately depend on how the 2026 season unfolds. Next year, all teams will effectively start from a blank sheet, as the introduction of the new technical regulations will completely revolutionize the cars. In January, with the first behind-closed-doors tests, teams will receive their initial answers.
Marcin Budkowski, speaking about the possibility of Lewis Hamilton leaving the pinnacle of motorsport, stated: “I think there are two factors. The first is results and how Ferrari is doing – how competitive the car is. And I think he will also judge how much fun he’s having. He was clearly not having fun at the end of this year. I don’t think Lewis [Hamilton] will drive for money; he already has enough.”
The former Alpine executive concluded by saying: “So even if we’re talking about a third of a season, I think that’s enough to get an idea. I don’t think Lewis will stay if it’s at the same level as this year. And I don’t think Ferrari will want him to stay either. So I think, to be honest, it will be a fairly straightforward discussion, if it comes to that.”
As the F1 world looks toward the 2026 revolution, the pressure is on Ferrari to deliver a car that can reignite Lewis Hamilton’s passion for the sport. If Maranello fails to provide a competitive machine, one of the most anticipated pairings in sports history could end much sooner than anyone imagined.
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