Formula One icon Lewis Hamilton may be reconsidering his future in the sport following a rocky start to his debut season with Ferrari, according to a former F1 driver.
After a historic 12-year run with Mercedes, where he clinched six of his seven world titles, Hamilton surprised fans in 2023 by announcing a high-profile move to Ferrari for the 2025 season. But just five races into the new campaign, the results have not lived up to expectations.
Currently sitting seventh in the driver standings and trailing his teammate Charles Leclerc by 16 points, Hamilton’s form has sparked speculation about whether this new chapter may end sooner than expected.
Ralf Schumacher—former F1 driver and brother of the legendary Michael Schumacher—suggested Hamilton could decide to hang up his helmet if things don’t improve soon.
Speaking on Sky Germany’s Backstage Pit Lane podcast, Schumacher said:
“He just can’t cope with the car. We talk a lot about Lando Norris, but it’s almost worse with him.
“You can see that he’s really slumped over. If you’re permanently slower, then you lose everything.
“From my own experience—if it goes on like this, it stops being fun. Then one morning you wake up and think, ‘Why am I still doing this? I’m 40, I’ve made my money. I don’t need this anymore.’”
While Hamilton did pull off an impressive sprint race win ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix, his performance in the main events has yet to see him finish on the podium. And with the pressure mounting, questions are being raised about whether the partnership with Ferrari is headed in the right direction.
Still, Schumacher hasn’t ruled out a turnaround.
“It’s a huge project for both Hamilton and Ferrari. But right now, the gap to Leclerc is bigger than I expected,” he admitted.
“That said, China showed that when the conditions are right—when the car and track suit him—Hamilton can still deliver. There may still be more to come.”
Hamilton’s early Ferrari struggles have been a shock to many, but with a long season still ahead, the seven-time world champion has time to rewrite the narrative. The big question remains: can he bounce back, or will 2025 be his final lap?