In a recent public statement, Formula 1 legend Lewis Hamilton has firmly dismissed rumors of his impending retirement. Even as he finds himself on the brink of an unprecedented eighth world championship victory, the British racing icon has asserted that his drive for success is far from over.
Hamilton, who recently celebrated his 40th birthday, is currently gearing up for his debut as a Ferrari driver. Having traded his long-standing affiliation with Mercedes for the iconic Italian team during the winter break, Hamilton is now poised to earn an annual salary of $57 million over the next two seasons.
In the world of F1, Hamilton’s achievements are unparalleled. The seven-time world champion has 103 pole positions and 105 race wins to his name. Yet, his performance over the last three seasons has been less than stellar, due to Mercedes’ difficulties in adjusting to the new ground-effect rules of F1. This resulted in only a single pole and two victories for the veteran driver.
In the aftermath of the 2021 season, Hamilton’s loss of the title to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen stirred up much speculation. Many believed that Hamilton, mirroring the actions of his former teammate Nico Rosberg in 2016, would announce his retirement if he had secured the record eighth championship. Rosberg had dropped his retirement bombshell only five days after securing his championship title.
Hamilton acknowledged that he had contemplated retirement after the 2021 title decider. However, during his recent interaction with media outlets, including PlanetF1.com, he categorically dismissed any such plans for the current year. Even if he clinches his eighth championship, Hamilton sees no reason to hang up his helmet.
“I don’t see myself stopping,” he declared, brushing aside the notion of seeking ‘revenge’ for his 2021 defeat. Instead, he views the 2025 season as an opportunity to win his first title with Ferrari, ignoring the number eight and focusing on achieving the team’s first championship win since 2008.
The veteran driver is keenly aware of the challenges in his path. Despite being part of top-performing organizations and teams, there is no guarantee of championship glory. The Ferrari team, however, carries an impressive legacy with an inherent winning mentality. However, competition from other iconic F1 teams like McLaren, Red Bull, and Mercedes is expected to be fierce.
Hamilton, nonetheless, remains hopeful. He recognizes the hard work and dedication required from the entire team, but insists that belief is crucial. “Everyone here dreams of winning with Ferrari,” he stated, expressing optimism for the team’s prospects in the 2025 season.
Further fuelling this optimism are recent reports from Italy suggesting that Ferrari’s latest car, SF-25, is a staggering 0.4 seconds faster than its predecessor. This is a result of Ferrari’s bold approach to the final year of current regulations and a significant redesign, including a switch to a pullrod front suspension for improved aerodynamics.
As Hamilton gears up for F1 2025, his fans will be eagerly looking forward to his pursuit of that elusive eighth championship – his first with Ferrari. Meanwhile, Hamilton remains focused on contributing to his new team’s success and leaving an indelible mark on Ferrari’s illustrious history.