Lewis Hamilton Retirement Rumor: Is He Really Leaving F1 Soon?

Lewis Hamilton is one of the biggest names in Formula 1. He’s a 7-time world champion, a global superstar, and known for breaking records on and off the track. When he announced his move from Mercedes to Ferrari in 2025, fans around the world were excited. Many thought this would be the next big chapter in his legendary racing story.

But things haven’t gone as planned. Hamilton has had a tough time adjusting to life at Ferrari. He’s been struggling with the car, not getting good results, and even sounding frustrated in interviews. This led to a big question that’s now all over the F1 world — is Lewis Hamilton thinking about retirement?

In this article, we’re going to look at what’s really going on. We’ll explore the rumors, his recent comments, what the experts are saying, and what Lewis himself has said about his future.

Why Are People Talking About Retirement?

It all started when Hamilton had a rough race weekend in Hungary. He qualified 12th and finished 12th. That’s not where a driver like Lewis Hamilton usually ends up. At the same time, his teammate Charles Leclerc got pole position and was fighting for a podium before his car had issues. This made people wonder: what’s going wrong for Lewis?

After the race, Hamilton didn’t hide his frustration. He made some emotional comments, and even joked that Ferrari might need to “change drivers.” These words spread fast, and the retirement rumors started growing.

Fans and media began asking: Is this just a bad season, or is Hamilton ready to call it quits? And with so many people talking, the rumor became even bigger.

Lewis Hamilton’s Big Move to Ferrari

Back in early 2024, Lewis made headlines by signing with Ferrari. It was one of the biggest moves in F1 history. After years at Mercedes, where he won multiple championships, Hamilton wanted a new challenge. And joining Ferrari — the most famous team in F1 — felt like a perfect fit.

But now in 2025, that big dream hasn’t worked out the way he hoped. The Ferrari car has been difficult to drive. Hamilton hasn’t scored a podium yet. Meanwhile, Leclerc knows the car better and is getting better results.

People expected fireworks when Lewis joined Ferrari. Instead, it’s been a struggle. And that’s why the talk of retirement doesn’t seem so far-fetched to some fans.

“I’m Useless” — What Did Hamilton Really Mean?

After the Hungarian Grand Prix, Hamilton said something that shocked everyone: “I’m useless.” He also said that Ferrari may need another driver. For a 7-time world champion to say that — it’s not something you hear every day.

It’s clear these words came from frustration. But they hit hard. Many people wondered if this was more than just post-race emotion. Was Lewis actually thinking about stepping away from F1?

Sometimes, athletes say things in the heat of the moment. Maybe Hamilton was upset with himself. Maybe he felt like he was letting the team down. But those comments added fuel to the retirement fire, and the media couldn’t stop talking about it.

Ralf Schumacher Thinks He Might Quit

Ralf Schumacher — former F1 driver and brother of Michael Schumacher — gave his opinion on a podcast. And he didn’t hold back. He said that Lewis is 40 years old now and has every right to think about retirement.

Ralf believes that as drivers get older, they become less flexible with new cars and setups. He said that younger drivers are easier to shape and more adaptable to change. In his view, Hamilton might be struggling more than he’s letting on.

He also mentioned that Lewis is already involved in other things, like movies. He’s working on a new F1 movie, and he has many projects outside racing. So maybe, Ralf suggested, Hamilton is starting to think about life beyond the track.

Bernie Ecclestone Says It’s Time to Stop

Another strong voice joined the conversation — Bernie Ecclestone. The 94-year-old former F1 boss said Hamilton looks “tired” and should stop now.

In an interview, Bernie said Lewis has been doing this for so long, and it’s natural to feel worn out. He even said Lewis would be “cheating himself” if he kept going when his heart wasn’t fully in it. According to Bernie, now is the right time for Lewis to take a break and try something totally new.

That’s a strong opinion. But with someone like Bernie saying it, fans started wondering — is he seeing something we don’t?

What the Experts Are Saying

It’s not just Bernie and Ralf. Many F1 experts have shared their thoughts. Some say it looks like Hamilton is no longer enjoying racing. Others believe this is just a bad season and he’ll bounce back.

The truth is, F1 has always had these types of rumors. Anytime a top driver struggles, the talk of retirement comes up. It happened to Vettel, it happened to Alonso, and now it’s happening to Hamilton.

But Lewis is different. He’s known for fighting through tough times. So while the experts are split, most agree on one thing: only Hamilton knows what he truly wants.

Lewis Hamilton Speaks Out on the Rumors

After all the talk, Lewis Hamilton finally broke his silence. At the Canadian Grand Prix press conference, he answered the big question himself — Is he really thinking about retiring from F1?

His answer was very clear. Hamilton said, “I literally only just started.” He also told reporters that he joined Ferrari for the long term and still has many goals to achieve. He added, “I’m here for several years… I’m here for the long haul.”

So, no — Lewis Hamilton is not leaving Formula 1 right now. He may be struggling, but he says he’s not going anywhere.

 What’s Going On Inside Ferrari?

Even though Hamilton says he’s staying, something strange is going on inside Ferrari. After one race, he told the media, “There’s a lot going on in the background that isn’t great.”

That one sentence made fans wonder — what does he mean? Is he talking about the car, the people, or the team strategy? Ferrari has always been a team full of secrets, so no one knows exactly what’s happening behind the scenes.

There were also rumors that Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur might be replaced. But Hamilton shut that down too. He said, “I love working with Fred. He’s the reason I’m here.” He added that he fully supports Vasseur and wants to win with him. That shows he’s trying to build something — not walk away from it.

Could Hamilton Go Back to Mercedes?

Here’s where things get even more interesting. During the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend, some people saw something strange — Mercedes boss Toto Wolff visiting the Ferrari garage. And Ferrari leaders were seen at Mercedes, too.

Some fans started guessing: Is Hamilton planning a surprise return to Mercedes? Or could there be a driver swap? So far, nothing official has been said. And some experts think they were just talking about the new 2026 F1 rules.

Still, Mercedes has one open seat for 2026. George Russell is expected to stay, but the second spot is unclear. So, the rumors about Hamilton going back to Mercedes haven’t completely gone away. They may not be true, but they definitely got people talking.

How Long Is Hamilton’s Ferrari Deal?

Let’s talk about the contract. Lewis Hamilton signed a 3-year deal with Ferrari. That means he’s expected to race with them through the 2027 season.

The deal is worth around €80 million per year — a huge amount. It’s one of the biggest contracts in F1 right now. But what’s more important is that it shows a long-term plan. Hamilton didn’t come to Ferrari for just one season.

Unless something major happens, this contract keeps him on the grid until the end of 2027. That’s more proof that the retirement rumors are just that — rumors.

Hamilton’s Message to Fans

After the tough race in Hungary, Hamilton posted a message online. It was simple but powerful. He said, “Please keep your fingers crossed. I’m not going to give up… Still we rise, right?”

That last part — Still we rise — is something Hamilton has said many times before. It means he’s not giving up, no matter how hard things get. It’s also a message of hope to his fans, who have supported him through everything.

Even when he feels down, he finds a way to keep going. That mindset shows why he’s still one of the best in the sport.

So… Is Lewis Hamilton Really Leaving F1?

Let’s go back to the big question: Is Lewis Hamilton really leaving F1 soon?

Right now, the answer is no. Yes, he’s had a rough start at Ferrari. Yes, he’s made some emotional comments. And yes, people like Ralf Schumacher and Bernie Ecclestone think he might quit. But Hamilton himself has said he’s not going anywhere.

He’s in the first year of a 3-year deal. He says he wants to win with Ferrari. And he still has the fight inside him. So unless something very unexpected happens, Lewis Hamilton is not retiring — at least not yet.

Final Thoughts

The Lewis Hamilton retirement rumor has been one of the hottest stories in Formula 1 this year. It came from real struggles, real emotions, and real concerns. But in the end, the only voice that matters is Lewis himself.

And right now, he’s saying he’s here to stay.

So let’s watch what happens next. Will he bounce back? Will Ferrari give him a better car? Or will this season stay tough? One thing is sure — everyone will be watching.

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