Hamilton's 2026 Ferrari Future Questioned by Damon Hill

Damon Hill has raised the possibility that Lewis Hamilton might not complete his second season with Ferrari in 2026, suggesting the seven-time champion could walk away if his motivation continues to wane amid another difficult campaign. This stark assessment comes after Hamilton's first Ferrari season fell short of expectations, highlighted by a 0-7 podium deficit to teammate Charles Leclerc.

Why it matters:

Hamilton's move to Ferrari was the biggest story of the 2025 season, representing a final career chapter for one of F1's greatest drivers. If he were to leave prematurely, it would be a seismic shock to the sport and a major setback for Ferrari's long-term project, raising questions about team dynamics and the Scuderia's ability to build a championship-contending car for a legend in the twilight of his career.

The details:

• Damon Hill, the 1996 world champion, made the comments on The Race's The Undercut podcast, pointing to Hamilton's potential lack of motivation after recent challenging seasons.
• 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 emphasized that Hamilton "doesn't need to sit in a car and deliver points for Ferrari if Charles Leclerc is winning or getting more than him."
• The assessment follows Hamilton's 2025 season, where he was consistently outperformed by Leclerc, who secured the team's only pole position and all seven of its podium finishes.
• Despite the concerning outlook, Hamilton began his second Ferrari season by setting the fastest time across all five days of pre-season testing in Barcelona, though he himself tempered optimism, stressing that real progress requires sustained hard work.

What's next:

All eyes will be on Hamilton's performance and demeanor as the 2026 season unfolds. The early pace of the SF-26 in testing provides a glimmer of hope, but consistent results and a closing of the gap to Leclerc will be critical to maintaining his motivation. Hill's comments frame the upcoming season as a crucial test of Hamilton's resolve and Ferrari's ability to provide him with a car worthy of his commitment.