Lewis Hamilton’s future in Formula 1 has become a major talking point following a difficult start to his Ferrari career, with growing debate over whether the seven-time world champion should consider retirement and, if so, when that moment might come.
Hamilton’s first season in red proved far more challenging than expected, as he failed to secure a single grand prix podium and ended the year 86 points behind team-mate Charles Leclerc. It marked a sharp contrast within the team, with Leclerc enjoying a far more productive campaign.
While Leclerc stood on the podium seven times, Hamilton endured the first podium-less season of his entire F1 career. For a driver accustomed to consistent front-running success, the statistics highlighted just how tough the transition to Ferrari has been.
There were still flashes of competitiveness, however, as Hamilton claimed victory in the sprint race at the Chinese Grand Prix and added a third-place finish in the Miami sprint. These results showed that pace and racecraft remain, even if grand prix success proved elusive.
Despite those moments, Hamilton also set an unwanted record by becoming the Ferrari driver with the longest wait for a podium finish at the start of a tenure, surpassing a mark held by Didier Pironi for more than four decades. The combination of historical milestones and mixed performances has only intensified questions about how long Hamilton plans to continue in Formula 1.
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