Lewis Hamilton has no plans to retire from Formula One until rival Fernando Alonso turns 50. This means that the seven-time world champion will be racing in the series for another six seasons at least. Hamilton’s future has been a contentious topic throughout the 2025 season.
Many hoped that by swapping Mercedes for Ferrari, the legendary Brit would rediscover his spark and return to World Championship contention, but instead, the 40-year-old has been faced with one of his toughest-ever F1 campaigns. With eight races remaining of the 2025 season, Hamilton trails team-mate Charles Leclerc by 46 points in the Drivers’ Championship standings and is still waiting for his first Grand Prix podium in Ferrari overalls.
The Brit’s contract with the Scuderia expires in 2026, and after a downbeat interview in the aftermath of the Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying session, Hamilton sparked speculation about a premature retirement from F1. However, after taking some time away during the summer break, the Ferrari star’s stance has changed.
Addressing his future retirement, Hamilton told L’Equipe: “I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon, and I really appreciate that Fernando is continuing, because it means he’s older than me. Yes, I’m just going to keep going until he’s 50.”
While Hamilton has no plans to hang up his racing boots anytime soon, the Stevenage-born driver is unlikely to be spotted hanging around the paddock when his time on the track comes to an end.
“No, I don’t think so,” he said when asked if he’d bring his future children to the Ferrari garage. “I don’t know if I really want to come back.” Pressed for more, he added: “I can’t imagine coming to a track and staying in the garage.
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“I kind of watch other people do it, maybe in a month it will change, and I can just come and enjoy it, maybe I’ll be disconnected and it will be fine.”
Hamilton’s retirement verdict sends a clear message to former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone. Ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, he warned the British racing icon that his historic success could be forgotten if he opts against quitting the sport and continues to struggle with Ferrari.
“You must be disappointed that what was supposed to be delivered was not delivered,” Ecclestone told Sport.de. “He should stop. The danger [is] that, if he continues for another year or a year and a half and hasn’t gotten better by then, people will forget him and his achievements.”