Lewis Hamilton, the legendary Formula 1 driver who has been lighting up the track since his 2007 debut, is planning his next move—and it might just shock the racing world. The seven-time world champion, who is set to race for Ferrari starting in 2025, has opened up about the conditions that could force him to hang up his helmet for good.
In a candid interview, Hamilton, who remains one of the sport’s biggest stars, revealed that he will only continue competing as long as he feels he’s performing at the top level. Despite his relentless drive to capture a record-breaking eighth title, the British icon admitted that his time in F1 has an expiration date if his performance falters.
“I’ve spoken to a lot of people who said they wished they’d done one or two more years. They tell me, ‘Stay as long as you can!’ But I don’t want to do it if I’m not good,” Hamilton confessed.
At 39, Hamilton is currently the second-oldest driver on the grid, trailing only the experienced two-time world champion Fernando Alonso. Yet, age alone won’t be the deciding factor for Hamilton’s exit. Instead, the moment he feels he can’t compete at the highest level, he’s ready to bow out—no matter how hard it may be for fans to see him go.
But don’t think Hamilton is just focused on his exit. He’s got a game plan in place for the years ahead, and it’s as calculated as his racing lines. The seven-time champ has laid out a strategy to balance his on-track success with his growing off-track empire. “I have a mental plan of how far I would like to go. I just have to develop strategies and sequence things,” he explained. “I’m very much into sequencing—looking at the brands I collaborate with, the companies I am starting, how I manage my time between all that, and how I’m still able to dedicate myself to this work.”
Since 2021, Hamilton has struggled to fight for the championship, with the new ground-effect regulations favoring Red Bull’s dominance. However, the tide is turning as other teams, including Ferrari, start to challenge the status quo. For Hamilton, his next chapter at Ferrari is a make-or-break moment. He’s banking on the iconic Maranello-based team to deliver a championship-winning car next season. If they do, fans could witness Hamilton’s resurgence and his quest to reclaim the title against the fiercest competition on the grid.
One thing’s for sure—Lewis Hamilton’s future in Formula 1 is set to be just as thrilling as his illustrious past. Will he conquer the sport once again, or will he walk away when the time is right? The clock is ticking, and the stakes have never been higher.
