Lewis Hamilton’s lifelong dream of driving for Scuderia Ferrari has hit a turbulent reality in the 2025 Formula 1 season, prompting speculation that the seven-time World Champion might consider retirement. Hamilton joined Ferrari at the start of 2025, with expectations high that he would be the final piece needed to secure the Scuderia’s first drivers’ championship since 2007 and their first constructors’ title since 2008. Upon his arrival in Maranello, Lewis Hamilton had confidently stated that Ferrari possessed “every ingredient” to win, signaling both his ambition and optimism for the season ahead.
However, Hamilton’s early success proved fleeting. While he claimed victory in the Formula 1 Sprint race in China during round two in March, it became clear that this would be the highlight of a challenging campaign. As the season progressed, Lewis Hamilton’s performance and morale declined dramatically, culminating in a historic low: the 40-year-old failed to secure a single Grand Prix podium throughout the 2025 season, marking the first time in his 19-year F1 career that such a situation had occurred.
The difficult season led the British driver to describe his experience at Ferrari as a “nightmare,” further amplified by comments from Ferrari president John Elkann instructing drivers to “talk less” in public. Lewis Hamilton himself admitted that 2025 was his “worst season ever,” a sentiment backed by the statistics and his struggles across multiple Grands Prix.
Romain Grosjean believes Lewis Hamilton’s pride will keep him in Formula 1
Despite the challenges, former F1 driver and analyst Romain Grosjean believes Lewis Hamilton has too much pride and competitiveness to retire after a single poor season at Ferrari. Hamilton’s 152 points in 2025 represented his lowest tally under the current F1 scoring system since 2010. Additionally, Lewis Hamilton became the first full-time Ferrari F1 driver in history to be eliminated during Q1 across three consecutive Grands Prix, highlighting the severity of the difficulties he faced in his debut year at the team.
The former F1 driver told Sport1 that he does not foresee Hamilton abandoning Ferrari or Formula 1 at this stage, emphasizing that the British driver’s competitive nature will drive him to continue. Grosjean noted that although retirement is eventually inevitable for any driver, Lewis Hamilton is unlikely to end his career on such a low note. Romain Grosjean suggested that while 2026 might be among Hamilton’s final seasons, his pride and desire to perform at the highest level will ensure he returns to the grid.
He elaborated that while Lewis Hamilton is no longer young by racing standards, he is far from being over the hill. Since making his F1 debut in 2007, the seven-time F1 world champion has endured nearly two decades of the sport’s intense physical and mental demands. Romain Grosjean explained that the nature of Formula 1 racing inevitably leads to fatigue over time, but Hamilton’s competitive spirit and personal drive make it unlikely he will step away simply due to one poor season.
Lewis Hamilton’s performance struggles and the 2026 F1 regulations
Hamilton’s difficulties were particularly evident during qualifying sessions in 2025. He qualified last on pure pace for the first time in Las Vegas during round 22, struggling in heavy rain while Ferrari grappled with optimizing the Pirelli tyres for wet conditions. Later, at the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix, Lewis Hamilton could not blame the conditions or Ferrari, as he qualified P18 and P16, respectively, exiting Q1 in both events.
The 2026 F1 regulations offer hope for Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari. Next year’s rules will introduce cars better suited to the Briton’s driving style, featuring changes that should allow him to brake later and carry more speed through corners. Ferrari’s switch from pull-rod to push-rod suspension in 2026 is expected to complement Hamilton’s preferences, although concerns remain over whether the team’s 2026 power unit will deliver as needed.
Ultimately, Lewis Hamilton’s redemption in Formula 1 will depend on both his personal adaptation to Ferrari’s evolving car and the team’s ability to deliver a competitive package under the new regulations. While 2025 proved to be a season of unexpected challenges, insiders like Romain Grosjean believe Hamilton’s legacy, pride, and relentless drive will see him continue fighting for victories and championships in the seasons ahead.
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