Lewis Hamilton issues fiery response to calls for him to retire from F1

Lewis Hamilton has delivered a punchy reply to those discussing and calling for him to retire from F1 after a torrid first season at Ferrari.

The seven-time F1 drivers' champion pointed out that none of his detractors has achieved what he has, and therefore are not equipped with better knowledge or understanding than he is.

Stemming from his disappointing campaign with the Scuderia — and exacerbated by his conduct during his media duties, which has routinely seen Hamilton dejected and despondent — the likes of former F1 owner Bernie Ecclestone have argued now is the time for the 40-year-old to walk away.

2025 was the first year of his F1 career where he failed to reach the grand prix podium, and he ended the season 86 points adrift of Charles Leclerc, who visited the rostrum seven times, in the standings.

It also saw the British driver take the unfortunate record for most races without a podium finish at the start of a Ferrari tenure, beating the mark set by Didier Pironi over 40 years ago.

Nonetheless, Hamilton remains defiant in the face of criticism and insists he will be racing next season, despite some of his remarks in the press suggesting the motivation, desire, or ability was no longer there.

When asked by media, including RacingNews365, what he would say to people discussing the possibility of him retiring, Hamilton bluntly replied: "I wouldn't say anything to them.

"None of them has done what I've done, so they don't know anything more than I do."

The 105-time grand prix winner is contracted to the Maranello-based squad for next season, but his future remains unclear after that point.

In the past, he has expressed his wish to continue racing for another few years, and he explained what still motivates him after so much success. 

"It's a love for what you do. It's love for racing," Hamilton said. "I've got amazing support from people around me, my fans.

"It's that constant keeping an eye on the dream, I still have a dream that I hold hope in my heart for, and that's what I work towards."

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