Is Lewis Hamilton close to retirement? Why Charles Leclerc could play an important role in the decision. Lewis Hamilton’s future in Formula 1 is uncertain as his struggles at Ferrari raise questions about retirement.

A former Formula 1 driver has commented on the possibility that Lewis Hamilton may be seriously considering retirement. Hamilton made his debut in Formula 1 eighteen years ago, and his current adventure at Ferrari could potentially be the last chapter of his illustrious career before he decides to step away from the sport. At the moment, the choice to move to Maranello is not paying off in terms of results, because the performances he has shown so far have not met the expectations of the fans or the team, and as a result the doubts about his future continue to grow.

To discuss the retirement hypothesis, former Formula 1 driver Johnny Herbert gave his perspective. He explained: “A year ago, when he won at Silverstone, he said very frankly that he had begun to doubt whether he would ever be able to celebrate another victory. That means Hamilton was aware, and at the same time doubtful for quite some time, that he might no longer be as competitive as he would have liked.”

Beyond that point, however, there is another factor that could play a decisive role in bringing Lewis Hamilton’s career to an end. That factor is the direct comparison with his teammate Charles Leclerc, who, with the same car, is often able to achieve better results. Johnny Herbert emphasized: “Leclerc is offering the best version of himself; he is consistent and he does not make mistakes.”

The former British driver also highlighted how Hamilton’s age is no longer working in his favor. Herbert explained: “It is not that there is one particular year when you suddenly lose competitiveness; it varies from driver to driver. But it is natural to lose freshness and versatility when you have to adapt your driving style to a specific car or to a new generation of cars.”

Johnny Herbert then added: “So it is normal that at a certain point Lewis Hamilton may also consider the idea of retiring. It is a very difficult decision to make, especially because you always ask yourself whether it is really the right moment. If things do not work out and they do not improve, maybe he will reach the conclusion that it is time to turn the page and try new things in his life.”