Lewis Hamilton handed F1 retirement verdict after disastrous Ferrari season

Former Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner believes Lewis Hamilton could retire should he fail to make progress with Ferrari next season. 

The seven-time world champion has endured a horrific maiden season with the Scuderia which will finally conclude after this weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. 

It is Hamilton's final opportunity to secure a first grand prix podium for Ferrari, having only made top three appearances in the China and Miami Sprint races. 

Clear progress had been made by the 40-year-old after the summer break; however, his performance has decreased dramatically in recent rounds. 

In Qatar, the 105-time race winner was eliminated in both SQ1 and Q1, whilst he also finished outside the points in both the sprint and the main race. 

Hamilton's hope is on the new power unit regulations suiting his driving style, with the ground effect era having been a highly difficult period for him. 

The pressure is on Ferrari to deliver him a competitive package, otherwise Steiner expects changes to be made going into 2027.

"I think we all had too high expectations," Steiner told Lottoland. "The seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, a GOAT, going to Ferrari, the most iconic Formula One team. And then obviously beginning of this year, reality hits.

"For sure he’s giving himself next year to see where he’s at, and if he’s competitive for sure he’s staying longer. But if he’s not competitive, he’s over 40 now, he may be closer to the day.

"Hopefully Lewis can come back. He never liked the ground effect cars, the cars under the current regulations. Next year there is no ground effect anymore, so let’s see what he can do then.

"He will have been a year at Ferrari, he knows their culture, he’s more mature at Ferrari. Let’s see what happens next year. And if it isn’t happening next year, I think there will be some changes coming."