Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari has been a backwards step in his search for an eighth world championship. Questions have been posed around his speed, motivation and longevity. Mixing low moral with a poor team strategically is sure to throw Hamilton off into the gravel. Despite poor result after poor result, what are the next steps for Hamilton?
Stay at Ferrari
While Ferrari is undoubtedly one of the most prestigious teams in Formula 1, it may not be the right place for Lewis Hamilton if he truly wants to secure a record-breaking eighth world title. When he joined, Ferrari assured him they had a championship-winning car—but that promise has not materialised.
Instead, the team has continued to struggle with inconsistency, strategic missteps, and a lack of outright pace compared to their main rivals. Despite their rich history and passionate fanbase, Ferrari has not mounted a sustained title challenge in over a decade, and recent performances suggest that gap is not closing fast enough.
At this point in his career, Hamilton needs more than heritage—he needs a car capable of winning consistently, and Ferrari simply hasn’t delivered.
Move Teams
Its clear that the relationship between Hamilton and Ferrari has broken down. Red does not suit him, nor does he suit them. A driver of his calibre does not drop to the middle of the championship for no reason. While many explainable variables can be put down to the car and team decisions, there is an element of driver error mixed in the poor results.
The Hungarian Grand Prix for me was the major turning point, suggesting that the only way to keep Hamilton’s reputation in tack was to move teams. Only recently has the slow and painful downfall of Daniel Riccardo and Sergio Perez in the sport highlight how quick a driver can fall out of favour. While Daniel Riccardo’s downfall was spread over many seasons, it was the lack of self confidence that can also be seen in Hamilton that led to his exit from the sport.
What does floor the plan for a Hamilton Ferrari exit is the lack of open seat. Should an option open up, there is a massive risk in taking it. Should Lewis fail to perform in another seat, I see no other option but an exit from the sport completely.
Williams
Possible options for Hamilton could include Williams. While this may sound radical and a nonsense suggestion, the team is rebuilding its history and working its way up the grid. James Vowles is an open and honest team boss, but puts the drivers at the heart of the decisions. Vowles has previously worked with Hamilton in the glory days at Mercedes, albeit for his teammate.
What Vowles is doing at Williams is a rebuild, ripping everything up and starting again. And this is working. He is fostering a feel-good “vibe” around the team, which is reflected in results. The reason I also suggest Williams is because of the slow start to Carlos Sainz’s season. While the payout of his contract would be huge, investors would surely be tempted by the possibility of adding a seven-time World Champion to the driver lineup.
For Hamilton, this would reduce the expectation to get podiums every race, but simultaneously empower him to be at the forefront of strategy and boost self self-confidence. This, tied in with a promising Williams team over the next few seasons, could allow Hamilton to rise like a phoenix and win an eighth World Championship.
This move is more than possible without causing too much chaos in the driver market. Ferrari could take Boretello from Kick Sauber, and Sainz moves to Kick in time for the incoming Audi transfer.
Embed from Getty ImagesAston Martin
A big future is possible at Aston Martin with the addition of Adrian Newey to their team. A fast-growing outfit, both physically and in ambition, they offer an attractive solution to Hamilton’s current frustrations. The team has the technical expertise, financial backing, and now the design genius of Newey to produce a championship-winning car within the next few seasons. With sweeping new regulations on the horizon, the playing field is set to reset—giving Aston Martin a real opportunity to emerge as front-runners. If they capitalise on this transition period, they could deliver the kind of competitive machinery Hamilton needs to chase an eighth world title.
From a marketing perspective, a Hamilton-Alonso partnership would be iconic and thus fire Aston Martin into the F1 history books. Should Newey create a championship winning car, this will be history defining
Money wise, Hamiltons wage will be whatever he wants. Much like Williams, signing Hamilton would be a strong investment with merchandise sales and sponsorship deals providing a great return.
Embed from Getty ImagesRetire
There’s a strong case to be made for Lewis Hamilton retiring at the end of his current contract. After two decades in Formula 1 and seven world championships, he has little left to prove. He already holds numerous records, including the most race wins and pole positions, cementing his place as one of the greatest drivers in the sport’s history.
Continuing to chase an eighth title could risk diminishing that legacy if the machinery continues to fall short. Moreover, the current grid is packed with hungry young talent, and Formula 1 is becoming increasingly unpredictable with each regulation change. Rather than endure years of midfield struggles or team instability, Hamilton could choose to leave on his own terms—respected, admired, and at the top of his legacy.
With a growing presence in fashion, philanthropy, and media, his post-racing opportunities are vast and meaningful. Retirement now could allow him to fully embrace a new chapter while still at the peak of his global influence.
