Juan Pablo Montoya casts doubt on Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari future amid concerns over F1 2026 chances
Lewis Hamilton stands as the second-oldest driver on the current Formula 1 grid, with only Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso ahead of him in age. At 39, Hamilton is entering the twilight of a legendary career, while Alonso continues to defy expectations at 43.
Historically, it was far more common for drivers to compete well into their 40s and even 50s. The legendary Luigi Fagioli, for instance, clinched victory at the 1951 French Grand Prix at the remarkable age of 53. However, the demands of the modern era make such longevity nearly impossible, even for the most experienced drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso.
Both veterans are now placing their hopes on the sweeping regulation changes coming to Formula 1 in 2026. These new rules could reset the competitive order and offer one last opportunity for the two champions to fight for a title.
Aston Martin have made bold moves ahead of the regulation shift, securing the expertise of technical genius Adrian Newey and an exclusive partnership with Honda as their power unit supplier. Alonso will be hoping these changes push Aston Martin from the midfield back into the title conversation.
At Ferrari, the picture is more complex. The team continues to struggle under the weight of a 17-year championship drought. Team principal Fred Vasseur and Charles Leclerc are under pressure to return the Scuderia to winning ways, while Hamilton is expected to help spark that long-awaited resurgence.
Though Ferrari haven’t yet fully transitioned their development focus to the 2026 campaign, speculation about the team’s direction and performance is already mounting. Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya recently shared his thoughts on Lewis Hamilton and Alonso’s futures, suggesting that Ferrari’s current trajectory could put a premature end to Lewis Hamilton’s career.
Montoya shares doubts about Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton extending their F1 careers beyond 2027
Speaking on the MontoyaAS Podcast, Juan Pablo Montoya analyzed Fernando Alonso’s remarkable career longevity. He noted that the Spaniard, having debuted in 2001, has now competed in over a third of all F1 races in history—a staggering statistic considering many of his current rivals were not yet born when he entered the sport.
Juan Pablo Montoya suggested that the former Ferrari driver likely has only a few more seasons left in him. He speculated that if Aston Martin’s performance fails to improve in 2026, Alonso might consider extending his stay for just one more year—possibly retiring after 2026 or 2027. He added that Lewis Hamilton’s situation may not be very different, especially if Ferrari fails to evolve or deliver competitive results. Without meaningful progress, Montoya implied that Hamilton could also find himself questioning how long he wants to remain in the sport.
Ferrari’s 2026 performance could be decisive for Lewis Hamilton’s future in Formula 1
The Briton’s current contract with the Maranello team runs until the end of the 2026 season, although there is an option in place to extend it by another year. From a commercial and branding perspective, Ferrari have already reaped substantial rewards from the British driver’s arrival. Still, expectations on the track remain high.
Despite joining Ferrari during a difficult transitional period, Hamilton’s pace isn’t far behind Charles Leclerc’s. The Monegasque driver himself has voiced frustration over the team’s inability to consistently fight for podiums or wins. The 2025 season has done little to restore faith, leaving both drivers hoping for a turnaround when the new regulations arrive.
Motorsport analyst Alex Brundle has also expressed concerns, noting that Hamilton has visibly struggled with the current generation of ground-effect cars. With even more radical technical changes on the horizon, there are fears that the 2026 cars may not align well with Hamilton’s driving style.
Moreover, Ferrari must execute a flawless development program over the next year if they are to stay competitive with Red Bull, McLaren, Mercedes, and possibly Aston Martin. Early rumors about the performance of Ferrari’s 2026 power unit have raised some eyebrows, although it’s far too early to draw any concrete conclusions.
For Lewis Hamilton, the desire to clinch one final title remains strong. However, whether Ferrari will be the team to provide him with that opportunity—or whether the seven-time world champion will retire without a final championship challenge—remains to be seen.
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