Lewis Hamilton endured a challenging debut season with Ferrari in 2025, failing to meet the high expectations that accompanied his transfer to the iconic Italian team. The seven-time world champion was unable to outperform his Ferrari teammate, Charles Leclerc, compounding the disappointment surrounding his move to Maranello.
Following a string of underwhelming performances throughout the ground-effect era regulations, Hamilton experienced what is widely regarded as his worst season ever. This downturn in form has sparked calls from former Formula 1 driver Derek Daly, who suggested that Hamilton should retire before the sport forces him out.
Former Driver Derek Daly’s Perspective on Hamilton’s Career
Derek Daly praised Hamilton’s talent, describing him as the greatest driver in Formula 1 history and claiming he even surpasses the legendary Michael Schumacher. Despite this admiration, Daly expressed doubt about Hamilton’s future competitiveness given the physical demands of the sport and his age of 41.
Hamilton undoubtedly is the greatest F1 driver ever, I think he’s better than [Michael] Schumacher. However, it’s not going to get better for him. It’s a physiological thing. At 40 plus years of age, you’re not going to run as well as 18, 19 and 20-year-olds.
Derek Daly told RacingNews365.
Daly emphasized that a 40-year-old driver faces natural physical limitations that younger competitors, often in their late teens or early 20s, do not encounter. This disadvantage is difficult to overcome, especially in a sport that demands peak reflexes and endurance.
The Decline of Hamilton’s Performance and Its Implications for Ferrari
According to Daly, the peak of Hamilton’s achievements is behind him. He warned that if Hamilton continues without retiring, the decision to bring him to Ferrari could lead to repercussions within the team’s management. Daly criticized Ferrari for allowing emotional choices to influence their lineup, stating that such a high-profile stage requires more calculated decisions.
Hamilton’s great glory days are over. It’s not going to get better. If he doesn’t retire, whoever made the decision to bring him there may end up being fired. This is too big a stage to make emotional decisions rule teams.
Derek Daly added.
This viewpoint underscores the pressure Ferrari faces to maintain competitive performance and the consequences of decisions that do not deliver expected results.
Derek Daly’s Doubts on Hamilton Winning Another Championship
Hamilton’s 2025 season showed a marked decline, with his best race finish being fourth place. Daly expressed skepticism regarding any potential comeback, highlighting how the driver’s struggle was visible even in his subdued interview responses after races.
It’s not going to get better. He’s not going to suddenly get faster, and it’s sad for me to see the struggles that he has publicly and the interviews that he has now where he just nods his head says ‘yay or nay’. That’s sad to see for a seven-time world champion, but this is not going to get better. Hamilton is not going to win the world championship again.
Derek Daly noted.
Daly described the current state of Hamilton’s career as difficult for both the driver and his fans, acknowledging Hamilton’s motivation but pointing out that it no longer translates into competitive results.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Season and New Regulations
Formula 1 plans to introduce fresh regulations for the 2026 season, marking an end to the ground-effect era that has contributed to Hamilton’s recent struggles. This rule change could provide Hamilton with a chance to reset and potentially regain form. However, with his recent performance level, this could be the final opportunity for the veteran driver to make a significant impact.
Despite the hope surrounding the regulatory shake-up, Hamilton’s path forward remains uncertain. His performance in the upcoming season will likely determine whether he chooses to continue competing or take Derek Daly’s advice and retire from Formula 1.
