Lewis Hamilton shuts down retirement talk: “I still have a dream”

Lewis Hamilton’s first season at Ferrari did not live up to expectation, and his disappointing results sparked questions about the seven-time Formula 1 world champion’s future in the series. The 40-year-old has sought to silence his naysayers, arguing that he ‘still has a dream’ keeping him in F1.

Hamilton joined the Scuderia at the start of 2025 following 12 campaign with Mercedes, which saw him clinch six of his seven titles. The Briton’s success coupled with a title challenge from Ferrari in 2024 left many expecting a serious challenge from the team this season.

That didn't happen, as Ferrari dropped from second to fourth in the constructors' standings and neither Hamilton nor team-mate Charles Leclerc picked up a grand prix win in 2025. The disappointing results led some to suggest that Hamilton should retire from F1, instead of seeing out his multi-year contract at the Italian outfit.

When asked for a response to those questioning his future after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the seven-time world champion said: “I wouldn't say anything to them. None of them have done what I've done, so they're not even on my level.”

Hamilton’s highpoint of the year was his one victory, the China sprint race, and his low was towards the end of the season when he became the first full-time Ferrari F1 driver to be knocked out in Q1 at three consecutive grands prix.

While the stellar results that Hamilton is used to didn't arrive this year, he outlined what has kept him focused over the course of a tough campaign.

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Photo by: Erik Junius

“It's the love for what you do, it's the love for racing,” he said. “I've got amazing support from people around me, my fans. It's that constant keeping an eye on the dream. I still have a dream that I hold hope in my heart for and that's what I work towards.”

As Hamilton explained when he signed for Ferrari, that dream is to win races and championships with F1’s most historic team. The impending regulation change that will hit F1 next year is the Briton’s best chance, as Ferrari switched focus to the new era back in April.

However, if the wins don’t come and Hamilton does step away from the series, there will at least be one aspect of F1 that he won’t miss. “I can't wait to get away from all this. Every week, photoshoots and all that kind of stuff,” he added. “That's the thing I look forward to one day, not having to do it all.”