Lewis Hamilton Predicted to Retire After Ferrari Rumors Run Wild
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Formula 1 pundit Ralf Schumacher gave his say on Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton's future as speculation grows about the former champion.
Hamilton had a rough race in Hungary, left with no answers on his struggles and no direction on where to improve.
He qualified P12 and finished in the same spot during the race, despite his teammate Charles Leclerc securing pole position and fighting for a podium finish until his car had issues.
Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Scuderia Ferrari waves on the drivers parade prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Hungary at Hungaroring on August 03, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary.
Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Scuderia Ferrari waves on the drivers parade prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Hungary at Hungaroring on August 03, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary.
Photo byHamilton has never achieved a podium finish or win in a grand prix while driving for Ferrari, and he has been outclassed compared to his Leclerc.
All of this disappointment from the British driver comes after much anticipation over his move from Mercedes to the Scuderia.
Due to his issues adjusting to life at Maranello, rumors of a potential move back to the Brackley outfit started to circulate.
Schumacher, on the Backstage Boxengasse podcast, shut down speculation of a move of that nature happening.
"Lewis is 40 and has certain expectations. First, the financial expectations are high. And second - how long can he still do this? How long will he want to? I think his level is still good, but whether it's as good as it used to be - nobody really knows," Schumacher said on the podcast.
"I would bet on the future. I'd be hated for this, but if I were a team boss, I'd go for a young driver with potential.
"Someone you can shape, someone adaptable. Because I know from my own experience, the older you get, the more set in your ways you become.
"And for a racing driver, that means needing a specific car setup to be fast. You're less flexible, less able to adapt to what you've got. Then you start fiddling with settings... and that point comes for every driver. The only question is: How far along is Lewis already?"
Lewis Hamilton Retirement Rumors Continue
Hamilton appeared downtrodden at the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend, slumping his shoulders and even suggesting that Ferrari should swap him with another driver.
He later hinted at things happening in the background at Ferrari, fueling the rumors about the seven-time World Champion walking away from the sport.
Schumacher believes there is merit to the rumors if Hamilton's situation is analyzed.
"Lewis is a very wealthy man. He might just say, 'Alright, I'll do something else. I'll just make films now. That's going well too - he's involved in that new F1 movie. 'Why should I keep putting myself through this?' And that's a process that, at 40, is not far-fetched," Schumacher said.
"You don't have to spend your life driving in circles. So, yes - based on his statements, I could absolutely see him doing that.
"You know we've covered that only three months ago, when everybody was criticising us - me especially - why I think Lewis could retire. But now he is talking about that himself. Something has happened."
For more F1 news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
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