Hamilton to retire from F1 if his performances don’t improve?
F1 Drivers NewsThursday, 07 August 2025 at 13:26
In the wake of a woeful Hungarian Grand Prix for Ferrari, Johnny Herbert believes Lewis Hamilton may soon be forced to consider retirement if his underwhelming form continues
Herbert suggests seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Hamilton is “coming to the realisation” that age and adaptation are now limiting his impact at the sharp end of the sport as he grinds through a first season as a Ferrari driver, his 19th season in the top flight.
Speaking after another dismal weekend for Hamilton at the Hungarian Grand Prix, Herbert suggested that while the Briton remains highly motivated and emotionally invested, he’s becoming increasingly aware that his performance level no longer matches his ambition.
“He's had a frustrating year so far, and that outburst was probably a symptom of one of those hurtful weekends for him,” said Herbert. “He struggled and then when he looks where his teammate is, of course he's on pole position, so the difference is huge.”
“He's very honest when he speaks. He's very critical of himself. And it is that frustration. So where is his head? Well, his head is still very motivated. I think he's already said that. He still enjoys it, which is very important. But it's all down to really those performances. And those performances just haven't been able to come.”
Herbert: Leclerc has been consistent
Herbert praised Charles Leclerc’s consistency and error-free execution in qualifying, suggesting Hamilton’s own errors in Budapest highlighted how things have shifted inside Ferrari: “It's been Charles who's been very consistent.
"When the window of opportunity came in that Ferrari, Charles was able to do it without making any mistakes. There were a couple of mistakes on that qualifying lap in Lewis which didn't get him through to the next stage.”
Herbert added that Hamilton’s slump resembles a mental loop he has struggled to break: “It’s building within himself. When he won at Silverstone last year, he said he didn't think he would have won another race. So, there was already doubt in his mind. Now he's having a very similar struggle in his new team.
“It's always going to be how you stand up to your teammate. And Charles, I have to say, is driving probably the best I've seen him. He is more consistent, and he was mistake-free in qualifying. For Lewis, it's going to be one of those situations again, where he has to reset.
Age favours no one as tough decisions loom for Hamilton
Herbert continued: "But how many times do you have to reset before you come to the realisation that it's not where it once was?”
Herbert also addressed the role of age and changing driving demands, particularly with ground-effect cars and a more sensitive Ferrari package this season.
“You feel the same as you did when you first started and then those little mistakes come in,” he said. “Things aren't the same as they used to be, everything changes, everything gets slightly slower as do reaction times. Those tiny mistakes that come in but they do make quite a big difference to his position on the grid for example.”
“That’s where age does come into play... You would have expected Lewis in his heyday to have adjusted his driving style around the problems. That's what he used to be able to do quite easily and that's not as easy to do now. So yes, age has definitely caught up with him.”
Looking ahead, Herbert suggested Hamilton may soon face a career-defining choice if things don’t turn around quickly at Ferrari.
“I can see there's a point in a driver's career when you must make a decision. But it's very hard for a driver to make the decision at the right time,” said Herbert.
“If things don't click and get better, then maybe it will be something he will have a hard thought about and realise it's not there anymore and maybe it is time to move on and try other things in his life.”
(Source: Grosvenor Casino Media Team)
Will Lewis Hamilton retire from Formula 1 if his performances don’t improve?
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