Lewis Hamilton faces the danger of tarnishing his Formula 1 legacy, as his recent performances fall short of expectations. This warning comes amid concerns over his future in the sport and the effect this could have on how he is remembered.
Concerns Over Hamilton’s Continuing F1 Career
Since narrowly missing out on a record eighth world championship to Max Verstappen in the dramatic 2021 Abu Dhabi finale, Hamilton has struggled to regain his previous dominance. His 2024 season began unevenly with Mercedes, before making a high-profile switch to Ferrari. However, as of now, his results with the Italian team have yet to show clear improvement. Despite a difficult start marked by a prolonged performance slump, Hamilton managed to rebound after the summer break, closing the gap on his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc. Still, he has not stood on the podium with Ferrari.
Speculation about Hamilton’s commitment to racing in the second half of this year grew amid these challenges. When the seven-time world champion returned after the summer break, former F1 driver David Brabham expressed a strong opinion that Hamilton may be extending his career beyond the optimal time.
Brabham, speaking to RacingNews365, voiced his worry over Hamilton’s decision to continue racing in such a demanding context with Ferrari. He said,
Image of: Lewis Hamilton
“may be carrying on a little bit too long”
David Brabham, Former F1 Driver.
Elaborating, Brabham added,
“I fear for him in the sense that he’s gone into quite a challenging situation with Ferrari to get them to become world champions again. I can understand why he feels he could do that. Time will tell whether he can.”
He further remarked,
“For me, he probably should have retired a couple of years ago and gone out on a real high.”
David Brabham, Former F1 Driver.
The Australian Le Mans class winner’s main concern centers on Hamilton’s ability to recapture the form that made him the most successful driver in Formula 1 history. Brabham stated,
“And he’ll be remembered for the last couple of years of his career more than he will be for what he’s achieved, which is incredible and should be revered in that way.”
David Brabham, Former F1 Driver.
He warned about the potential risk of Hamilton’s legacy becoming complicated if the closing stages of his career do not go as hoped. Brabham stressed,
“things can get twisted and tainted if the last few seasons of your career have not gone the way you want.”
David Brabham, Former F1 Driver. Despite this, he expressed hope that Hamilton is capable of achieving success at Ferrari and delivering a satisfying conclusion to his career.
Current Team Dynamics: Hamilton Versus Leclerc
On the track, the recent race in Baku saw Ferrari drivers Hamilton and Charles Leclerc finish in eighth and ninth place respectively, a disappointing result for the Scuderia. Hamilton started the race from 12th on the grid after a crash in qualifying, while Leclerc qualified 10th.
Hamilton has acknowledged that the team can reduce difficulties by improving its qualifying performance. Reflecting on Ferrari’s competitiveness against leading rivals, he gave a candid assessment. He said, “McLaren’s been ahead all year.”
He pointed out that Ferrari has not made significant progress, noting that rivals like Red Bull have introduced upgrades such as an improved floor at the last race, strengthening their chances at victories.
Hamilton also highlighted the importance of qualifying improvements, explaining,
“So they’ve now picked up their pace and [you have] to expect they’re probably going to win more races. [If] we qualify better, we’re going to be in a much better position to race.”
Despite the desire for upgrades, Hamilton confirmed the team’s focus must remain on next year’s car development. He said,
“I mean, I would give anything for an upgrade, but obviously we don’t have that, we have to focus on next year’s car, so we just have to do better in optimising and execution.”
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Driver.
What Hamilton’s Future Holds for His Formula 1 Legacy
The ongoing challenges in his career at Ferrari come at a crucial moment for Lewis Hamilton’s Formula 1 legacy. Having amassed incredible achievements, Hamilton’s current season shapes how fans and historians will remember him. The concerns voiced by David Brabham underline the fine line between solidifying an enduring legacy and risking it being overshadowed by a disappointing finish.
Hamilton’s ability to adapt and lead Ferrari back to championship contention will likely be pivotal. A successful final chapter could restore confidence and provide a fitting end to a remarkable career. Conversely, continued struggles may complicate his place in F1 history and damage perceptions of his once-dominant reign.
The coming seasons thus carry significant weight for Hamilton, who remains determined to improve results while balancing pressures within the team and the sport’s evolving competitive landscape.
