Martin Brundle gives his verdict on Lewis Hamilton’s F1 future after harrowing 2025 Ferrari season

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Lewis Hamilton’s first season as a Ferrari driver was record-breaking for all the wrong reasons, as he went through an entire campaign without scoring a Grand Prix podium for the first time in his career.

Ferrari had one of their most disappointing campaigns in recent memory, and a P8 finish after a fourth successive Q1 exit for Lewis Hamilton summed that up perfectly.

Charles Leclerc was pushing to spoil Lando Norris’ championship party throughout the race and finished fourth in the sister Ferrari, highlighting the gulf between the two drivers.

Hamilton has faced questions about his F1 future during the latter part of the season because his results have been so disappointing.

Ferrari signed Hamilton up to a three-year deal when he left Mercedes, but Martin Brundle and Nico Rosberg have now discussed what he needs to do if he wants to continue in the sport in 2026 and beyond.

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Martin Brundle worried about Lewis Hamilton’s F1 future after 2025 Ferrari campaign

The two former drivers were speaking on Sky Sports F1 (7/12 4:18 pm) about the seven-time world champion’s future.

Rosberg said: “It’s horribly tough. And that’s why, actually, Martin, do you think he might call it a day on this incredible career and retire?”

Brundle replied: “The trouble is that his stats and his reputation are not being enhanced with this.

“But I would have thought he’ll wait and see if Ferrari get it together for 2026, see how he’s going, see how they’re going, if he’s enjoying it.

“I think if we were asking that question a year from now, when he’s had a difficult season. I would be very surprised if he just switches it off in the winter. What do you think?”

Rosberg continued: “I think he has to continue, because he’s stopping, that’s not cool.

“He only just started this Ferrari project, and to give up in a way, after only one season, I think that doesn’t work.

“So, he has to continue and give it another shot and hope that maybe he feels comfortable and that next year’s car, and that maybe that car is also a good car, because this year’s car is not great.”

Brundle was then asked if he still has the skillset to beat Leclerc, and he explained: “Not on this year’s results, no.

“But let’s see how he copes with the way the cars [drive next year], they’re going to handle completely differently.”

Rosberg concluded: “I think his great struggle this year was qualifying pace, because in the race, there were always still these flashes of brilliance that we kept on seeing again.

“It’s his qualifying pace, and with the cars being so different next year, maybe he can find some of that old magic again in qualifying. So the hope is still there, definitely.”

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Lewis Hamilton sends a message to Lando Norris after winning the 2025 Formula 1 title

Hamilton has failed to come close to winning an eighth title ever since the heartbreaking final lap in Abu Dhabi in 2021.

Mercedes were off the pace during his final three years with the team, and Ferrari have taken a step backwards since the 40-year-old’s arrival.

Hamilton was quick to congratulate Norris after the race as he became the 11th British driver to win a world championship.

On the team radio as he took the chequered flag, Hamilton sent a positive message to Ferrari for the future, suggesting that he’s not thinking about walking away from Formula 1 yet.

Next year will be crucial to determining what Hamilton does next. A competitive Ferrari will keep him energised and motivated to continue.

Another season where he’s looking over his shoulder, and it’s hard to see Hamilton carrying on for much longer, especially if he can’t close the gap to Leclerc in his intra-team battle.