‘Should stop now’: Hamilton encouraged to retire as surprise sighting sparks rumours about F1 future

Deflated Lewis says 'a lot' is going on | 00:51

A frustrated Lewis Hamilton’s comments and a surprise sighting has sent the F1 rumour mill into over drive about the seven-time world champion’s future in the aftermath of the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Hamilton’s high profile switch from Mercedes to Ferrari has been far from smooth this year.

The 40-year-old sits sixth in the driver’s standings, but it is in qualifying where things have really not gone to plan.

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Hamilton exited in Q2 in Hungary as teammate Charles Leclerc stunned the McLarens of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris to take pole.

The Brit then told media that Ferrari may have to get rid of him, despite being only in the first year of a three-year contract reportedly worth €80 million (A$143m) per season.

“I’m useless,” he said.

“Absolutely useless. The team has no problem. You’ve seen the car on pole so they probably need to change driver.”

Race Recap: Norris pips Piastri by <1s! | 09:42

Hamilton’s mood did not get better on Sunday as he finished 12th, outside the points for the first time in his career at Hungaroring.

Meanwhile, Leclerc fell to fourth and launched a scathing attack on his team over the radio mid-race, labelling the car “undriveable”.

Hamilton also shared discontent in the garage, saying: “There’s a lot going on in the background that isn’t great.”

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur was not publicly dismayed by Hamilton’s comments post-race in Hungary.

Vasseur acknowledged Hamilton’s frustrations, but insisted that he had not lost motivation.

“I don’t need to motivate him, honestly,” Vasseur said.

Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of the United Kingdom, left, arrives to the drivers parade at the Hungaroring racetrack, in Mogyorod, Hungary, Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025, ahead of the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos) Source: AP

“He’s frustrated but not demotivated, it’s a completely different story.

“Again, I can perfectly understand the situation and you can, sometimes you are making comments on what the driver is saying to the car, but if you put the microphone on some other sportsman in football and so on, I’m not sure that it would be much better.

“Sometimes they are making [rash] comments, even when they jump out of the car.

“I can understand the frustration, but we are all frustrated and sometimes if you ask me, I can’t say this, I will go to the stewards.

“But sometimes just after the race, or just after the Quali, you are very disappointed and the reaction, the first reaction is harsh, but we all know that we are pushing in the same direction.”

McLaren call costs Piastri Hungary win | 02:38

But with F1 taking a three-week break following the Hungarian Grand Prix, there is time for reflection and considered choices rather than raw emotion in the heat of race day.

It also means there is ample time to thoroughly think about what comes next.

Founder and former CEO of F1 Group Bernie Ecclestone believes that for Hamilton, that should be retirement.

“Lewis is very talented, was and probably still is,” the 94-year-old told The Daily Mail.

“But like a lot of leading sports personalities when they reach the top, there is only one way to go, and it’s not a good direction. It’s only down.

“They get tired. Lewis is tired. He’s been doing what he is doing forever. He needs a rest from it for good, a total reset to do something completely different.

“He may not think it but he will soon get used to doing other stuff away from motor racing in retirement. I think he should have done it a while ago.

“The guy is not a cheat. But he would be cheating himself if he goes on. He should stop now.

“If I were looking after him I would negotiate with Ferrari immediately and say, ‘If you have someone to replace Lewis, he’ll step aside’.”

'**** turned in on me!' Russell fumes | 01:43

But eagle-eyed observers spotted what could be an interesting clue to Hamilton’s future in Hungary.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff was spotted leaving the Ferrari motor home on Sunday after Vasseur and Ferrari chairman John Elkann were seen at the Mercedes motor home earlier in the week.

Of course, it sent the sport’s rumour mill into over drive with suggestions of retirement or a driver swap.

“Extreme caution should be exercised when entertaining such dramatic theories,” The Telegraph’s Luke Slater wrote.

“It is possible to put two and two together and come out with 44.

“There are any number of – quite frankly far more boring – reasons for these visits.

“The most likely topic of discussion was the upcoming regulation set for 2026, with dramatic changes to the power units the teams use – Ferrari and Mercedes are two of F1’s engine manufacturers.”

Piastri & Norris INCHES from colliding! | 00:48

Despite attempts to pour cold water on the speculation, intrigue surrounding Hamilton’s problems in “the background” comment persist.

“What could they possibly be?” Slater continued.

“Is he referring to issues with the car and its development, or something broader within the Ferrari team and organisation?

“While what happens behind closed doors at the team is hard to gauge – and the Italian giants have historically done a better job than any of keeping problems under wraps – issues with the car have been clear to see this year, though they are improving.

“As for Mercedes, they still have no drivers confirmed for 2026.

“That is a strange, almost bizarre situation when one of them is George Russell, who has been one of the standout performers of the season.

“He underlined that again by taking a sixth podium of the year on Sunday – that is more than anyone bar the two McLaren drivers.

"Why didn't you just T-Bone him?" | 01:18

“Rookie teenager Kimi Antonelli in the other Mercedes is having a difficult first season.

“His early promise and results have disappeared and it says plenty that his 10th place in Hungary – his first points since Canada – felt like a minor success.

“Russell’s new contract was tied up with how far Mercedes progressed with trying to sign Max Verstappen, but the Dutchman will remain at Red Bull for 2026.”

Russell is a near certainty to have a new deal put in front of him, but the uncertainty of the Mercedes second seat will mean rumours keep coming back to Hamilton.

That is if he stills a future for himself on the grid.

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