Lewis Hamilton's F1 future under speculation after poor Hungarian GP and advice to retire

A joint-record seven-time world champion, Lewis Hamilton’s future in Formula One has now become a topic of speculation as the 2025 season entered the summer break after 14 races. Hamilton finished the 14th race of the season in 12th place at the Hungarian Grand Prix . Going into the break, the 40-year-old British driver is sixth in the championship standings with 109 points, 175 behind leader Oscar Piastri of McLaren.

It’s safe to say Hamilton has little to no chance of capturing a record eighth title in his first season with Ferrari. But the major point of discussion now is not when Hamilton will win his eighth F1 title, but whether he will continue in the sport after the 2025 season.

While some tabloids also speculate that he may not even return for the Dutch Grand Prix, which will mark the return of the F1 2025 season on 31 August, the respected media houses in Britain are questioning Hamilton’s future with Ferrari in the 2026 season.

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Hamilton to leave Formula 1?

Hamilton has a three-year contract with Ferrari, which runs till the end of 2027, but the star driver was extremely disappointed by his performance at the Hungaroring. Hamilton is the most successful driver in the history of the Hungarian Grand Prix, winning eight races there, but last week he was knocked out in Q2 during the qualifying session, started the race in 12th, and finished in the same position.

While Hamilton struggled, Ferrari’s other driver, Charles Leclerc, clinched the pole, beating a dominant McLaren. “Absolutely useless. The team has no problem. You’ve seen the car on pole so they probably need to change driver,” a disappointed Hamilton said, reacting to his performance after the qualifying.

Hamilton has not managed a single pole in 14 races with Ferrari, while Leclerc has five. Leclerc leads Hamilton 10-4 in qualifying and 11-2 in races. Hamilton’s best this season came when he secured a Sprint pole and victory at the second round in China.

After the race in Hungary, Hamilton added more fuel to the rumours with his brief and gloomy responses. “When you have a feeling, you have a feeling. There is a lot going on in the background that is not great,” he said, explaining why he called himself “useless” after the qualifying.

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However, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur is confident Hamilton is in the right mind space. “I don’t need to motivate him, honestly, he’s frustrated, but not demotivated,” he said. “I can perfectly understand the situation. He’s demanding. But that’s why he’s a seven-time world champion.”

Ecclestone asks Hamilton to retire

But former Formula One CEO Bernie Ecclestone has advised Lewis Hamilton to retire from F1.

“Lewis is very talented, was and probably still is. But like a lot of leading sports personalities, when they reach the top, there is only one way to go, and it’s not a good direction. It’s only down,” Ecclestone told The Daily Mail.

“They get tired. Lewis is tired. He’s been doing what he is doing forever. He needs a rest from it for good, a total reset to do something completely different. He may not think it, but he will soon get used to doing other stuff away from motor racing in retirement. I think he should have done it a while ago.”

Hamilton is not expected to make any decision in the 2025 season and should be back for the last 10 races. But things may change for next season.