After a difficult 2025 season with Scuderia Ferrari, which many have described as disastrous, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has addressed growing speculation that he might retire at the end of 2026.
This year, Hamilton faced a severe dip in performance rarely seen in his career. Despite high expectations, his debut season with Ferrari fell short. He failed to secure a podium in any Grand Prix and often trailed his teammate Charles Leclerc in qualifying and overall results. Following a particularly disappointing weekend at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, where he started last on the grid and described the outing as a horrendous weekend, Hamilton was quoted as saying he was not looking forward to 2026.
That comment fueled speculation that 2026 could mark the end of his Formula One career, especially given his age and decades of elite racing. Some pundits suggested he might step away if the upcoming car changes did not improve his competitive edge.
Hamilton has since pushed back against these rumours with clarity and determination. He dismissed retirement speculation as unfounded and insisted he remains committed to Ferrari and to Formula One. He explained that his earlier remark about not looking forward to 2026 was made in the heat of frustration after a string of poor results and was not a genuine signal of intent to quit. He emphasized that he has a long-term contract with Ferrari and that speculation about an immediate exit makes no sense.
Despite the challenging season, Hamilton remains cautiously optimistic. He said he wants to see what the team builds next year and expects a renewed drive as Ferrari works to address the shortcomings of 2025. He also affirmed that he has no regrets about joining Ferrari, acknowledging that building success within an organization takes time.
In summary, while rumours about a 2026 retirement surfaced amid a difficult season, Hamilton has made it clear that he is not considering quitting. He remains committed to Ferrari and intends to give the partnership time to succeed.
