Lewis Hamilton is having a rough first year with Ferrari. He sits sixth in the standings with no podiums and no wins, 238 points behind leader Lando Norris. After the Las Vegas Grand Prix he called it “the worst season ever” and said he can’t wait for it to end. With his 41st birthday coming up in January, some fans and pundits are asking if he should just retire now instead of finishing his Ferrari contract.
Mark Whiley thinks Hamilton should hang on because the 2026 rule changes are a total reset. This year’s cars have never suited Hamilton’s driving style, especially in qualifying, but next year everything changes. If Ferrari can build a decent car, he could still pick up a few wins and leave the sport on a high instead of limping out after another bad season. A more positive attitude would help too, says Whiley.
Daniel Moxon calls retirement right now “plain daft.” Yes, Hamilton has looked miserable at times, but those gloomy quotes come straight after getting out of the car when emotions are raw. The 2026 cars and engines will be completely different, so this season tells us nothing about next year. Ferrari could suddenly be quick, or they could still struggle. Walking away without finding out would be a huge mistake when he’s still got one year left on a £50 million deal.
Jack McEachen points out that Hamilton’s friend LeBron James is still going strong at 40 because he’s been given the right teammates. Hamilton just needs a competitive car. Even if Ferrari can’t deliver one, the 2026 shake-up means any team could surprise could happen. Aston Martin with Adrian Newey might come calling, or another squad could emerge. Retirement isn’t the only option if Maranello doesn’t work out.
Charlie Malam and Archie Griggs agree the decline is painful to watch, but both say Hamilton should do one more year. If Ferrari nails the new regulations, he could fight at the front again and silence the doubters one last time. If the car is still slow, he can walk away in 2026 knowing he gave it everything. Quitting now would mean risking massive regret if Leclerc suddenly starts winning races in a quick Ferrari while Hamilton watches from home. One more season, one last roll of the dice.
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