P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Lewis Hamilton endured a disastrous opening season at Ferrari last year, leading to doubts over his future in F1.
Former Red Bull and Aston Martin chief engineer Dan Fallows believes Lewis Hamilton holds the key to the F1 driver market this year. Hamilton had a tough season at Ferrari in 2026, failing to secure a podium finish in all 24 races. This was the first time in his career that the seven-time champion went a season without a top-three result. There have been suggestions that Hamilton might retire at the end of the 2026 season if he doesn’t have a competitive car. Fallows mentioned on a podcast that Hamilton’s commitment to racing might falter if he’s not in a top-performing car. If Hamilton decides to step down, Ferrari’s junior driver Oliver Bearman could potentially step up, but other options may also be considered. Hamilton’s decision, according to Fallows, could spark significant movements in the driver market.
