P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Lewis Hamilton endured a poor season, but can he recapture some of the old magic in 2026?
Lewis Hamilton has been warned that his old F1 form is “gone” and that a shock retirement should be a possibility. In the 2025 season, he endured his first podium-less season, finishing with just 156 points for Ferrari.
Struggling with the new SF-25’s engine braking system, which he wasn’t familiar with from his time at Mercedes, Hamilton failed to improve his performances throughout the season. He had a particularly rough time during qualifying in Hungary and described his season as a “nightmare” in Brazil.
Johnny Herbert, a former F1 race winner, believes that some of the old Hamilton magic is lost and may never return. Hamilton’s struggles have raised questions about his future in the sport, with Herbert suggesting that retirement could be a viable option for the seven-time champion.
The upcoming major rule changes for the 2026 season add an additional layer of uncertainty to Hamilton’s career, leading to speculations about his potential retirement. Hamilton’s uncharacteristic struggles on and off the track have prompted discussions about his next steps and the possibility of walking away from Formula 1.
