Damon Hill Suggests Hamilton Could Exit Ferrari Early in 2026

Damon Hill, the 1996 Formula 1 world champion, has speculated that Lewis Hamilton might not complete his second season at Ferrari in 2026 if his motivation declines after another year of underperformance. Hill pointed to Hamilton's challenging first season at Maranello, where he was consistently outperformed by teammate Charles Leclerc, as a potential catalyst for an early departure.

Why it matters:

Hamilton's high-profile move to Ferrari was expected to redefine the final chapter of his career and revitalize the team's championship ambitions. An early exit would not only impact Hamilton's legacy but also signal deeper issues within Ferrari's ability to manage top talent, potentially affecting their competitive edge and driver market dynamics.

The details:

• On The Race's The Undercut podcast, Hill stated: "If the motivation goes, if Lewis has another year like he has been having, like last year or the year before, I don’t see him seeing the end of the year out, because the joy of everything has gone out of it."
• He added that Hamilton, as a seven-time champion, doesn't need to remain in a supporting role if Leclerc continues to outperform him, making points-scoring duties less compelling.
• Hamilton's debut Ferrari season in 2025 fell short of expectations, with Leclerc securing all of the team's podium finishes and sole pole position, while Hamilton faced a 0-7 deficit in top-three results.
• During pre-season testing in Barcelona for 2026, Hamilton set the fastest time over five days, showing early promise with the SF-26. However, he tempered optimism, emphasizing that real progress requires sustained hard work beyond testing performance.

What's next:

The 2026 season will be a critical test for Hamilton and Ferrari. If the team delivers a competitive car and Hamilton closes the gap to Leclerc, he could see out his contract. However, continued struggles might lead to an early exit, potentially triggering driver market shifts and forcing Ferrari to reassess their long-term strategy amid new regulations.