Lewis Hamilton has dismissed any speculation surrounding his potential Lewis Hamilton F1 retirement, emphasizing that he does not plan to end his Formula 1 career in the near future. Now in his forties and recently joining Ferrari, the British driver is focused on pursuing new achievements rather than stepping away from the sport.
Hamilton Commits to Continuing Despite Career Longevity Questions
In a new chapter of his career for the 2025 season, Lewis Hamilton has moved from Mercedes to Ferrari, marking a significant transition coinciding with his 40th birthday. His goal is to bring Ferrari its first Drivers’ World Championship since Kimi Raikkonen’s title in 2007, aiming to secure a record-breaking eighth world championship.
Achieving this would place Hamilton in a rare category of F1 drivers who have won titles after turning 40, a feat not accomplished since Jack Brabham in 1966. Success now or next year would establish Hamilton as the third-oldest Formula 1 World Champion, following Giuseppe Farina and Juan Manuel Fangio, who earned titles at ages 43 and 46, respectively.
Although his early tenure with Ferrari has posed challenges, including limited podium appearances apart from a Sprint race victory in China, Hamilton appears to be steadily adapting to the SF-25 car and integrating within the Scuderia team. Despite this, rumors have circulated about his enthusiasm for F1 and whether he might retire before his current contract ends, possibly as soon as this season.
Hamilton firmly rejected such ideas, stating,
“I have no intention of stopping anytime soon,”
as he told the French magazine L’Equipe.
Adding humor and camaraderie to the discussion of retirement, Hamilton referenced his fellow veteran driver Fernando Alonso, who remains competitive at 44 years old. Hamilton joked that he plans to continue racing until Alonso reaches 50 years of age, underscoring his own determination to keep competing.
“I really appreciate that Fernando Alonso is continuing, because it means he’s older than me. I’ll keep going until he’s 50!”
This stance contrasts with former F1 chairman Bernie Ecclestone’s view, who suggested Hamilton should retire for the sake of preserving his legacy after nearly two decades in the sport. Ecclestone warned,
“The danger is that – if he continues for another year or a year and a half and hasn’t gotten better by then – people will forget him and his achievements.”
Comparing Hamilton to Teammates and Rivals on and off the Track
Lewis Hamilton’s dedication to racing is clear, and he accepts that the intense demands of Formula 1 leave little room for other commitments. Hamilton is currently unmarried and has explained that balancing family life with his professional ambitions is not feasible at this stage.
He expressed admiration for athletes like Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Tom Brady, who have managed to maintain peak performance while raising families. However, Hamilton clarified,
“For me, it just didn’t happen. It’s not a priority. My priority has always been my love for Formula 1. The love of my life is Formula 1.”
He emphasized the all-consuming nature of his racing career, stating that he must be fully invested to perform at the highest level, and that anything less than 100 percent effort is unacceptable. Hamilton elaborated on the sacrifices involved, saying,
“I don’t want to be in a position where I have to choose: either racing goes badly so that my family can succeed, or my family suffers so that racing can succeed.”
Despite this intense focus, Hamilton holds a sentimental view for the future, imagining a scenario where his future children might share his passion for Ferrari and the sport. He shared,
“Of course, I’ve imagined in my head how nice it would be if one of my children came to see Ferrari, was amazed by it, could get on board, and share this universe. Because racing has been the most important part of my life since I was a child.”
Post-Retirement Plans and Relationship with the Sport
Although Hamilton remains fully committed now, he has reflected on what life might look like after Formula 1. He expects to become more reclusive, similar to Sebastian Vettel, who has limited his F1 appearances since retiring at the end of 2022.
Hamilton expressed uncertainty about maintaining a high profile in the paddock post-retirement, saying,
“I don’t know if I really want to come back,”
and added,
“I don’t imagine myself coming to a circuit and staying in the garage.”
He also accepted the possibility that his feelings might evolve with time, stating,
“I see that others do it a bit, maybe after a month, it will change, and I will be able to just come and enjoy it, maybe I will be disconnected, and it’ll be fine.”
Looking ahead, Hamilton remains focused on the challenge of revitalizing Ferrari’s fortunes in Formula 1, aiming to extend his legacy in the sport rather than concluding his career prematurely. His performances and commitment will continue to be closely watched by fans and analysts, particularly amid his rivalry with teammates such as Charles Leclerc and seasoned drivers like Fernando Alonso.
