Lewis Hamilton Faces Retirement Speculation Amid Ferrari Struggles

Lewis Hamilton has had a challenging start to his 2025 season with Ferrari, marked by underwhelming performances including a 12th-place finish at the Hungarian Grand Prix where he openly described himself as 'useless' and suggested the team consider replacing him. These candid remarks have sparked widespread speculation about his future in Formula 1, including possible early retirement or a return to Mercedes, though former driver Ralf Schumacher dismissed the likelihood of a Hamilton comeback to his old team, citing financial and longevity concerns. Ferrari's chief, Frédéric Vasseur, acknowledged that both Hamilton and the team underestimated the adaptation period required for the SF-25 and remains hopeful that Hamilton can improve. Meanwhile, Bernie Ecclestone suggested Hamilton negotiate an exit with Ferrari if a replacement is ready, emphasizing that Hamilton no longer needs to prove himself in the sport. Ralf Schumacher and other pundits note Hamilton's age and adaptability challenges, arguing that teams might prefer younger drivers with potential over established veterans, which adds pressure on Hamilton to demonstrate his capability in the latter part of the season. Despite the criticism and struggles, Hamilton has instead used recent announcements to promote his non-alcoholic drink brand, alleviating some fan concerns about an imminent retirement announcement.