Twenty years in Formula 1: Lewis Hamilton, now racing for Scuderia Ferrari, celebrates a remarkable milestone in his career and makes one thing absolutely clear — retirement is not on his mind.
On the eve of the Melbourne weekend, which will officially open the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship, the seven-time world champion addressed speculation about his future in a powerful Instagram post. The British driver shared a series of images capturing defining moments of his journey: his world title with McLaren, family memories, his beloved late dog Roscoe, championship celebrations, and his long-standing social activism.
“20 seasons as an F1 driver. It’s hard to even imagine the reality of that number,” Hamilton began in his Instagram message. The British driver started his career in the sport’s top category in 2007 with McLaren, immediately fighting for the world title in his rookie season.
“It all started with a dream. A dream that some called ridiculous and said would never lead to anything. Despite that, the dream never changed and I never stopped chasing it,” he continued, reflecting on his difficult path in motorsport and an upbringing marked by bullying and racism.
“A dream has to be accompanied by action and, above all, by faith. A faith that doesn’t break, no matter what is thrown at you or what you face. There will always be people who doubt you, people who try to stop you, but you can never stop fighting,” he added, sending a message of encouragement to his fans around the world.
For Lewis Hamilton, these twenty years have been “full of highs and, with more mistakes than I can count.” Yet, he explained, it is precisely those mistakes that have made his journey even “sweeter.”
“You have the power over your destiny. What you need to succeed is already inside you. You will need help along the way, like I did, but that spark, that fire, is already within you. I will forever be grateful for the lessons, the quiet moments, the chaos and the many people who helped me chase and realise my dreams. I’m also grateful to those who doubted me and tried to bring me down.”
And finally, words that will reassure his supporters ahead of the 2026 season. After two decades at the pinnacle of Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton has no intention of hanging up his helmet and racing boots. “I’m still here, 20 years later. Still standing. Still hungry, still chasing the dream. No brakes.”
Lewis Hamilton’s defiant “no brakes” stance shows that age is just a number when paired with unparalleled ambition. Entering his second year with Ferrari under a radical new set of technical regulations, Hamilton seems to be drawing strength from his storied past to fuel his pursuit of a record-breaking eighth world title. While critics may point to his twenty-year tenure as a sign of an approaching exit, his reflections on resilience and the “fire within” suggest that the move to Maranello has provided exactly the spark needed to sustain his hunger.
