Lewis Hamilton might have hedged his bets on Ferrari emulating ‘exciting’ Mercedes outcome in 2026

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If Ferrari can’t win with an experienced Lewis Hamilton and a hugely talented Charles Leclerc, then they might be well and truly doomed.

Heading into 2025, many were ranking them as the best driver line-up on the grid. Just 12 months later, that has changed completely, and there are doubts about their ability to compete.

Their aim is to win the drivers’ championship, but it feels far away for now. Ferrari have consistently displayed an inability to deliver what is required to win over a 24-race season.

The only real change is that they now have Hamilton, a seven-time champion in their ranks, to deliver feedback and turn the ship around. But, they must listen to him.

Prove me wrong: Lewis Hamilton can still win an eighth F1 drivers’ title

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Hamilton has an ‘attractive’ Plan B, but it would be a surprise to see him continue his Formula 1 career beyond 2026 with another team, if it doesn’t go as planned.

Before the season has even started, Ferrari plan to throw away two parts in a bid to extract even more performance from their new car. They’re trying everything.

READ MORE: Ferrari have finally listened to Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc’s demands for their 2026 F1 car

Lewis Hamilton was hoping Ferrari could emulate Mercedes’ ‘exciting’ 2014 turnaround

Hamilton has been predicted to make an ‘early’ retirement call, but it all depends on how much motivation he has in the future.

Back when he joined Mercedes in 2013, he knew he faced a long-term project. Much like when he joined Ferrari, there was one year left before a big regulation change.

In 2012, when he announced that he was leaving McLaren, he already had his eyes set on 2014. He could see that there were ‘exciting’ possibilities.

It’s the same thing he will be hoping happens at Ferrari. Can they manage to start the new regulation cycle well enough that they have a winning car?

“It’s more long-term. 2014 is a big, big change,” Hamilton told Sky Sports F1 about his move to Mercedes. “I guess that’s the real, real challenge. That’s the most exciting part. I think next year [2013], there’s no expectations really.”

F1 fans have questioned Hamilton’s future and are unsure of where he’ll be soon if he continues to spend time fighting in the midfield.

READ MORE: Ferrari have already made a decision which could prove costly for Lewis Hamilton in 2026

What could Lewis Hamilton look to do after he stops racing in Formula 1?

Hamilton could stay at Ferrari in a non-driving role if everyone decides to go in a separate direction at some point in the next few years.

His dreams of achieving a record-breaking eighth world championship are fading by the day, and beating the likes of Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc will only get harder.

Hamilton could chase dreams ‘far removed’ from Ferrari, too. He takes pride in a lot of other causes outside of the paddock.

Now it’s up to the Maranello-based engineers to decide the Briton’s fate. Can they finally produce a winning car?