Lewis Hamilton retirement bombshell drops amid Ferrari struggles

Fernando Alonso is the only driver older than Lewis Hamilton on the 2026 Formula One grid, with the Spaniard competing for Aston Martin at the age of 44, while the Brit is doing the same for Ferrari at 41.

Since both drivers are over 40, retirement questions will be more common than for anyone else on the grid.

Yet, neither have indicated that their time in the sport may be coming to an end any time soon, well, that is, until now.

Hamilton competed for three of the biggest teams in F1, as he drove for McLaren, then Mercedes and now Ferrari, winning World Championships at two of these constructors.

His dream of becoming the most decorated F1 driver appears to be slipping away, and he may have to share his record of seven World Championships with Michael Schumacher, as a pair of journalists believe this season will be his last in the sport.

Lewis Hamilton

In an appearance in the NOS-F1 podcast, journalist Louis Dekker reported: “Ferrari is disappointing me. Besides the excellent starts, they are not capable of fighting for victories. They seemed to be the team to beat, but McLaren is once again ahead.

“I'd be willing to bet on it. I think Hamilton will announce his retirement at Silverstone at the end of this season.”

This hypothesis was supported by Jeroen Bleekemolen, who said: “He will definitely have to make a decision sooner or later, and perhaps he already has.”

It has been a disappointing period for Hamilton at Ferrari, as he has yet to win a Grand Prix since his move to the Italians from Mercedes, his last victory coming in Belgium on July 28, 2024, when he was still at the German constructor.

The British driver will not be pleased with his time racing with Ferrari, as he aimed to win a record eighth World Championship at the Italian constructor; however, this does not look likely after his start to the 2026 campaign, as Hamilton sits fifth in the standings.

However, if the Brits feel that Ferrari are building to a title challenge next season, he may opt to stay and fight to become the undisputable best driver to ever grace the sport.