BOMBSHELL: Lewis Hamilton Backed to Announce Ferrari Exit and F1 Retirement at Silverstone.
Lewis Hamilton’s future in Formula 1 is once again under intense scrutiny, with a respected Dutch journalist predicting the Ferrari driver could announce his retirement later this season.
The seven-time world champion is currently in his second campaign with Ferrari, but the partnership has yet to deliver the success many expected. Hamilton endured a disappointing debut year with the Italian team, finishing sixth in the standings a staggering 267 points behind newly crowned champion Lando Norris.
There have been signs of improvement in 2026, including Hamilton securing his first Ferrari podium at the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai back in March. However, concerns resurfaced after the Miami Grand Prix, where McLaren appeared to strengthen its position ahead of Ferrari in the fight near the front of the grid.
Hamilton crossed the line in sixth after suffering early damage that affected his car’s performance. Reflecting on the race, he admitted he spent much of the afternoon “in no man’s land.”
As Formula 1’s “silly season” approaches, speculation surrounding Hamilton’s long-term future continues to grow. While reports claim the British star has the option to remain with Ferrari through 2027, Dutch F1 journalist Louis Dekker believes the veteran driver will walk away sooner.
Speaking on the NOS Formula 1 podcast, Dekker suggested Ferrari may no longer be capable of returning to championship-winning form.
“Ferrari shows flashes of speed, especially at the start of races, but they struggle to sustain it,” Dekker explained. “At the beginning of the season, many believed Ferrari had sacrificed short-term results for a major breakthrough later on. Now it’s looking increasingly unlikely they’ll become the dominant force people expected, particularly with McLaren making rapid progress.”
Dekker went even further by predicting exactly when Hamilton could make his decision public.
“I’d bet on it,” he said. “I think Hamilton will announce his retirement at Silverstone and then complete the rest of the season.”