Lewis Hamilton may be “already” considering retiring from Formula 1 after a difficult start to the 2025 season with Ferrari.
This is claimed by Derek Warwick, an active FIA judge, who believes that the former Mercedes driver “deserves” to win a record eighth world championship title.
Will Lewis Hamilton simply give up and leave Ferrari?
Hamilton arrived at Ferrari last winter with the aim of finally ending his long quest for a record eighth title.
Although he converted a sprint pole position into a victory in the sprint race in China in March, the former Mercedes driver is struggling with pace alongside new teammate Charles Leclerc.
Hamilton finished no better than fourth place in Ferrari’s colours on Sundays, while Leclerc won all three podiums for the team in the 2025 season.
Warwick, who last refereed the Miami Grand Prix last month, believes Hamilton may have underestimated the challenge of moving to a new team after 12 seasons at Mercedes, from 2013 to 2024, who fears Hamilton will retire from Formula 1 altogether if he does not make a breakthrough soon.
“I don’t know why Lewis Hamilton can’t find his way at Ferrari. I think it’s a real enigma,” Warwick told a betting platform. “We all saw his move to Ferrari as a great opportunity to win an eighth world championship.”
“The car doesn’t suit him at the moment. Most critics will say – seven-time world champion, 105 wins – you can certainly adapt to the car you have, because Charles has.”
“But for some reason he can’t get used to it. I think people underestimate, including Lewis, how difficult it is to join a new team.”
“How to get used to their systems, their analyses, how to make them understand what you want and vice versa.”
“And the most important thing in the car is probably the steering wheel, because there are so many different adjustments you can make, maybe he hasn’t quite got the hang of it yet.”
“Do I want Lewis to win and fight for the title? Yes. I think he deserves it. I think he deserves that eighth world title,” he stressed.
“It’s not going to happen this year. And I think if things continue like this, he’s already thinking about retiring.”
“I don’t see him putting up with being half a second behind Charles, or driving in sixth, seventh or eighth place. He’s seen enough of that in the last three years at Mercedes, so he needs his confidence back.”
“In China, when he won the sprint race, I thought it was a turning point, but the car still doesn’t suit him.”
