Ferrari might have to deal with the possibility of Lewis Hamilton retiring early from Formula 1. According to Gunther Steiner, the decision will come after the summer break.
The future is a central theme for Ferrari in Formula 1. According to Gunther Steiner, retirement is a real possibility for Lewis Hamilton. Everything will depend on how he feels after the end of the summer break and once he returns to the track. For the British driver, it will be crucial to regain self-confidence and fight against the frustration that emerged after the Budapest weekend. After all, Charles Leclerc has almost proved it: with this SF-25 car, winning is no longer an impossible mission.
The coming weeks will be a mix of relaxation and reflection for Lewis Hamilton. The Ferrari driver, who joined the Maranello team at the start of the year, has not exactly enjoyed a honeymoon phase with the Scuderia. He did take a victory, in the brilliant Sprint Race in Shanghai, but then the lights went out for the seven-time world champion. His contract ties him to the Prancing Horse until 2026, with a significant option for 2027, yet the farewell could even arrive earlier.
Is Lewis Hamilton really “useless” for Ferrari?
In an interview with the portal web.de, Gunther Steiner was clear: “[Hamilton] is not useless, but at the moment he is not delivering what was expected. He is dissatisfied with himself, and the pressure on him is enormous. The direct comparison with his teammate is always the most significant, and there it is clear that Leclerc is ahead. I have always said we should give him time until the summer, but so far he has not met the expectations.”
Age is not a problem, according to the former Haas team principal, nor is the quality of the car. A good driver, he argued, must adapt to the machinery available without looking for excuses.
His arrival in Maranello cannot be considered a mistake. “We cannot know how it would have gone if he had stayed at Mercedes. Perhaps he would have encountered difficulties there too. It was still a brave and valid choice. The results are not coming, but that does not make the move a mistake: sometimes you need courage. And if it does not work out, at least you can say: I tried.”
Retirement could be an option for Lewis Hamilton
With so many victories behind him and numerous interests outside Formula 1, the British driver might truly consider retirement. Gunther Steiner also admitted this but emphasised the importance of the upcoming months: “I think the summer break will be a moment of reflection for him. He can return more relaxed and improve his results, or not.”
“In that case, I imagine that towards the end of the year he might say: ‘That’s it. I cannot do another year of this.’ He has many interests beyond Formula 1; he is a brand in himself. Many drivers need Formula 1 as a platform, but Lewis no longer uses it for that purpose.”
Leave a Reply