Lewis Hamilton handed major 'it's gone' warning after dismal season

Lewis Hamilton has been warned that his old F1 form is "gone" and that a shock retirement should be a possibility.

Hamilton endured his first podium-less season in grand prix racing in 2025, securing a best finish of fourth for Ferrari at Imola, in Austria, at Silverstone and in the United States as he returned just 156 points.

The seven-time champion initially struggled with the engine braking of the SF-25, having never used the system at Mercedes, but as the season went on, he was unable to improve performances.

After a particularly galling qualifying in Hungary where he was 12th, Hamilton declared that he was "useless" and that Ferrari "should sign another driver," before going onto describe his season as a "nightmare" in Brazil.

The campaign ended with three straight Q1 exits for the first time since 2009, with Hamilton explaining in Abu Dhabi that he intended to completely switch off for the winter to regroup ahead of the major rule changes coming into force for 2026.

However, three-time F1 race winner and Le Mans 24 Hours winner Johnny Herbert believes some of the old Hamilton magic is "gone" and will not return.

"I could see Lewis's words [in Abu Dhabi] as a farewell speech," Herbert told NewBettingSites.UK. 

"You've got to be honest to yourself. And if you do honestly feel that you have no idea of what you need to do to get out of the doldrums and get around the problem, then why carry on?

“He was always able to find a way, was always in the fight, always there. He had the will and the ability. Now he doesn’t.

“So, I could see him choosing to say: ‘Actually, that’s it. I've had one of the best careers of any driver in F1, and I can leave a happy chap.'

“So, I could see maybe that could be a thought process. And maybe he has a sit-down with Anthony [Hamilton] and his mum, to discuss where he is at.

“Some of his interviews in the pen, where he’s quite literally not answering any questions at all. It's just in this horrible dark place.

"I find it very uncomfortable. It's a place I've never seen him in before, and it just makes it very uncomfortable. Then you see what happens on the track, and then you get a double slap in the face.

“To me, it's clear that he's not the Lewis Hamilton he once was. Everything seems harder, way harder, whereas it was simple. He never even had to think about it. It just happened.

“It’s gone. Will it come back? I’d be very surprised."