All Ferrari fans who follow Formula One know what a hugely entertaining season it has been in 2023. Since the first Grand Prix in Bahrain during early March, we have been treated to some scintillating racing.
It is fair to say that Ferrari has seen something of a slow start and will be hoping for improved performances as the season wears on. Carlos Sainz Jr. and Charles Leclerc undoubtedly have the talent to make this happen, so it is a case of being patient for Ferrari lovers. Another team that has also made something of a slow start is Ferrari’s fierce rival, Mercedes.
This follows a 2022 season that did not go smoothly for them and saw star driver Lewis Hamilton struggle for form. Hamilton has continued to perform below his usual standards in 2023 and this has left many wondering what may be next for the British driver.
Tough times for F1 ace Hamilton
Apart from a rousing second-place finish in 2023’s Australian Grand Prix, Hamilton has been off the pace this season again, by his high standards.
This has left both race fans and Formula One gamblers looking at Hamilton with fresh eyes. Racing bettors would once have regarded him as a safe bet to win in previous seasons but this is no longer the case. Instead, he may well now be a better pick to grab one of the top six spots on the track. For Formula One lovers who do not bet on the sport, they are simply left wondering why his form has dropped off lately and what his next move could be to turn this around.
Current season could be more of the same
If we start with the current Formula One campaign, it is clear that nothing will change in the short-term. He has signed a contract to drive for Mercedes this year and it’s unlikely he will break this now the season has started. The issue for Hamilton, though, is that this leaves him in a frustrating situation for the remaining races.
There is no doubt that he still has the talent to get on the podium – but it is the current Mercedes car that seems to be letting him down. As he is under contract for the season, he is faced with no choice but to make the best of it and work with the mechanics to make his car more competitive.
What might Hamilton do after the 2023 F1 season?
This is where things start to get interesting in terms of any future plans Hamilton might have. Although Mercedes have offered him a contract extension, he has not yet signed it. This has left Formula One fans wondering if two frustrating seasons with Mercedes might see him weighing up his options in the sport.
One move he could make is signing for another Formula One team when his current contract ends. Hamilton may well consider this if he feels Mercedes cannot make their car competitive under new Formula One rules and/or feels a fresh start is needed to reinvigorate his own performance.
Moving to a more competitive team would also see him keep alive his hopes of another championship win to move past Michael Schumacher. Ferrari fans may well welcome a move for Hamilton but this will not happen soon, as both Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr. are contracted until 2024.
What other options does Hamilton have?
If Hamilton can’t or won’t move to a top Formula One team such as Ferrari then he may well stick with Mercedes. As noted above, a contract extension is already on the table and this makes it an option that is not hard to see coming to fruition.
But why might he choose to do this when Mercedes have struggled so much lately? Much could rest on his close personal links with the Silver Arrows and how the rest of the 2023 season goes. If Mercedes can make their car more competitive and results begin to pick up moving ahead, Hamilton may well feel confident enough to remain with them.
Could he bid farewell to F1 altogether?
While staying with Mercedes or moving to another Formula One team look the most likely options for Hamilton, there is one less obvious choice he could make. This could be that he steps away from Formula One altogether and retires from racing. Although this would leave him tied with Schumacher in terms of world championship titles, Hamilton may well take this route if he has grown tired of the sport, can’t find a better team to move to or cannot see Mercedes getting back to their winning ways any time soon.
What might Lewis Hamilton do next?
Although Ferrari fans like to focus on news around their team, it is sometimes interesting to look at other teams and other drivers. The recent struggles that Hamilton has had for Mercedes is a case in point and it will be interesting to see what he does next.
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