Former Formula 1 world champion Damon Hill has suggested that Lewis Hamilton might retire before the conclusion of the 2026 season, claiming that
“the joy has gone out of it.”
Hill believes the 2026 championship could mark the final year in F1 for either Hamilton or fellow veteran Fernando Alonso, or possibly both drivers. This speculation arises amid Hamilton’s recent struggles and diminished enthusiasm for the sport.
Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time world champion and statistically the most successful driver in Formula 1 history, has faced a difficult period over the past two seasons. In his last year at Mercedes in 2024, he secured two Grand Prix wins but finished 22 points behind his teammate George Russell in the driver standings. The move to Ferrari in 2025 has resulted in his most significant defeat against a teammate, losing by 86 points to Charles Leclerc in his debut season with the Italian team.
Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso, two-time world champion and currently 44, has also experienced disappointing recent campaigns. Although Alonso performed better than his Aston Martin teammate Lance Stroll throughout the past two seasons, he has not reached the podium at any race during that period, despite adding eight podium finishes in 2023. Alonso’s last race victory dates back to the 2013 Spanish Grand Prix, while Hamilton last season failed to secure a single Grand Prix podium for the first time in his long career.
Current Challenges Facing Hamilton and Alonso
Both drivers face significant pressure to deliver strong performances in 2026, as their current contracts may expire that year. Damon Hill publicly expressed that one or both may quit mid-season if results and motivation do not improve. Speaking in a recent podcast, Hill remarked:
“The joy of everything has gone out of it,”
Damon Hill, Former F1 World Champion
He added that the racing community is debating whether this year will signal the end for either Hamilton or Alonso, highlighting that unless Ferrari or Aston Martin produce outstanding cars, continuing may not be appealing for the veterans.
Hill further explained:
“Basically we’re asking whether or not Fernando and Lewis, either or, will be, this will be their last season. We’re kind of sitting here now and we kind of go all of the balance, the scales are weighing up towards them, this has got to be the last year. Unless suddenly Ferrari produce a blinding car, or Adrian Newey has waved his magic wand at Aston Martin and Fernando’s got a clear run at the championship. But either way, one of them is going to go because they can’t both win! If the motivation goes, if Lewis has another year like he’s been having like last year or the year before, I don’t see him seeing the end of the year out.”
Damon Hill, Former F1 World Champion
Concluding, Hill emphasized Hamilton’s unique position, stating:
“You can’t simply be, he doesn’t need to sit in a car and deliver points for Ferrari if Charles Leclerc is winning or just getting more than him. He doesn’t need to be there,”
Damon Hill, Former F1 World Champion
Will 2026 Bring a Revival for Two F1 Icons?
Lewis Hamilton, younger than Alonso and more recently successful with his last world title in 2020, enters the 2026 season under intense scrutiny. His qualifying performances in 2025 declined noticeably, and Ferrari could consider replacing him with a less costly driver if his results do not improve. In contrast, despite Alonso’s challenges last year, he out-qualified Lance Stroll in all 24 Grand Prix sessions and finished 23 points ahead in the Drivers’ Championship, indicating that Aston Martin still values his contributions highly.
This dynamic suggests that Aston Martin may rely more on Alonso’s experience than Ferrari currently does on Hamilton. Both drivers are hopeful that their teams can field more competitive cars in 2026, boosting their chances of fighting for podiums and race victories once again.
Implications for the F1 Landscape Moving Forward
If Hamilton or Alonso choose to step away during or at the end of 2026, Formula 1 will lose two of its most storied competitors. Their departures would mark the end of an era, opening seats for emerging talents and potentially shifting team strategies across the grid. Hamilton’s potential retirement is particularly significant given his record-breaking career and stature in the sport, which has defined much of Formula 1’s modern history.
Teams such as Ferrari and Aston Martin will face urgent decisions regarding driver lineups, balancing experience against performance and budget considerations. For fans and analysts, the 2026 season promises high drama, not just on track but also in the paddock, as the futures of these two legends hang in the balance.
