In the world of Formula 1, few stories have been as captivating as Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari for the 2025 season. With seven world championships and countless records under his belt, Hamilton’s decision to join the Scuderia was a seismic moment in F1 history. The anticipation was palpable, but as the season unfolds, it’s clear that the reality is far from the fairy tale many envisioned. His journey with Ferrari has hit turbulence, and whispers of retirement are beginning to swirl. The upcoming 2026 overhaul looms large, and questions arise: Is this Hamilton’s moment for redemption, or is it the final chapter of one of F1’s greatest careers?

A Tough Start to Ferrari’s New Chapter

When Hamilton debuted with Ferrari in 2025, the motorsport world was filled with optimism. Ferrari, a team historically known for its passion and success, seemed like the perfect fit for Hamilton to pursue his eighth world title. But 14 races into the season, the honeymoon phase is over. Hamilton’s journey with Ferrari has not been the smooth transition he hoped for. His debut in Melbourne was disastrous, securing just a 10th-place finish — the second-worst debut for a Ferrari driver in the team’s history. However, he did bounce back with a dominant victory in Shanghai, his first-ever win for the team. But since then, the highs have been few and far between.

Aside from a remarkable third-place finish in the Miami Sprint, Hamilton has failed to secure a podium in the Grand Prix, something even the most pessimistic Ferrari fan would not have predicted. His closest brushes with glory came in Imola and Silverstone, but the elusive podium in red continues to evade him. His performance has been underwhelming, culminating in a series of disappointing results, including a Q2 exit in Hungary, a track where he has enjoyed immense success in the past. This frustration boiled over when Hamilton, in a rare moment of candor, suggested that Ferrari might consider changing drivers.

The Weight of Expectations and Internal Tensions

What’s happening behind the scenes at Ferrari? According to Juan Pablo Montoya, a seven-time Grand Prix winner and former F1 star, Hamilton’s intense drive to outpace his teammate, Charles Leclerc, is starting to create internal tension at the team. Montoya believes that Hamilton’s relentless work ethic and desire to beat his teammate could tilt Ferrari’s development focus toward him, making things harder for Leclerc. This is a crucial point, as Ferrari has traditionally favored their lead driver. The relationship between Hamilton and Leclerc will be critical in the coming years, especially as Ferrari looks to rebuild its competitive edge ahead of the 2026 season.

Hamilton has made it clear that he is not satisfied with Ferrari’s current car. The transition from Mercedes, a team where he was able to fine-tune his driving style to perfection, has been far from easy. Ferrari’s car is very different, and the current design does not cater to Hamilton’s late-braking style — a key part of his driving ability. Moreover, the car’s power unit, which is vastly different from the Mercedes engine Hamilton has been accustomed to, has proven difficult to manage.

However, Hamilton is not one to shy away from a challenge. He has been working tirelessly with Ferrari’s engineers to improve the car’s performance, sitting down with senior figures over the summer break and providing them with detailed documents outlining his vision for the 2026 challenger. This is the kind of input that showcases Hamilton’s dedication to his craft and suggests that, despite the setbacks, he remains fully invested in Ferrari’s future.

The 2026 Overhaul: Hamilton’s Last Chance at Glory?

One of the most exciting aspects of the F1 landscape in the near future is the 2026 technical overhaul. With new regulations set to reshape the sport, the cars will undergo a radical transformation. The power units will switch to a 50-50 hybrid power split, with a move to sustainable biofuel-fed engines. The cars themselves will be smaller, lighter, and fitted with active aerodynamics, making them significantly different to drive. The changes could be a game-changer, potentially offering Hamilton a much-needed boost in performance.

For Hamilton, the 2026 season could be his last chance to claim an eighth world championship, a record that has eluded him so far. His current car struggles may not be entirely his fault, as the current Ferrari design is not tailored to his strengths. The new generation of cars, which will be more similar to pre-2022 designs, could provide a much-needed performance boost for the seven-time champion. If the 2026 overhaul brings the expected changes, Hamilton could find himself in a much more competitive position.

However, if the new cars do not bring the hoped-for improvements and Hamilton continues to struggle, his time at Ferrari could be short-lived. It’s possible that the frustration of trailing behind the competition could prompt him to retire before his contract with Ferrari expires. In a sport where margins are razor-thin and every race counts, it’s hard to imagine Hamilton sticking around if he feels he can no longer compete at the highest level.

Will 2026 Be the End of an Era?

Despite the struggles and setbacks, Hamilton remains resolute. He insists that his recent downbeat mood is no indication that he’s considering retirement anytime soon. In fact, Hamilton is determined to keep pushing, drawing inspiration from his past successes. Toto Wolff, the Mercedes boss who helped Hamilton to his dominant years at the German team, believes that Hamilton’s competitive spirit remains as strong as ever. Wolff argues that Hamilton still has unfinished business with the new generation of cars, especially after the struggles he experienced with the ground-effect cars introduced in 2022.

For Hamilton, the 2026 overhaul represents a new opportunity to reclaim his best form. The prospect of a more familiar car design and power unit could reignite his passion and competitive edge. As Wolff pointed out, the new generation of cars could be better suited to Hamilton’s driving style, especially if they are more akin to the pre-2022 cars he excelled in. But if Ferrari’s performance doesn’t improve and Hamilton continues to trail, the reality of retirement will become harder to ignore.

The Road Ahead

Ferrari’s future, much like Hamilton’s, hinges on the 2026 regulations. As the team prepares for the upcoming overhaul, both Hamilton and Leclerc will need to rise to the occasion. For Hamilton, it may be a final shot at securing his eighth world title, while for Leclerc, it’s a crucial moment to prove he can lead Ferrari to glory. The relationship between the two drivers will undoubtedly shape Ferrari’s future, and how they adapt to the new regulations will determine whether Ferrari returns to the top of F1.

For Hamilton, the road ahead is uncertain. The challenges he faces are significant, but his determination to succeed is undeniable. Whether 2026 will be a year of redemption or the end of an era remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari journey is far from over.