Lewis Hamilton’s “Farewell” Comments Spark Speculation After Nightmare Ferrari Season

A Difficult Debut Year for Hamilton at Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton’s first season at Ferrari couldn’t have been further from the fairy-tale debut many fans imagined. The seven-time world champion endured one of the most difficult campaigns of his 19-year Formula 1 career — and his comments after the final race have fuelled speculation about his future in the sport.

Following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 7, where Hamilton finished eighth, he sounded unusually reflective:

“I can’t wait to get away from all this,” he told reporters. “No one will be able to reach me this winter. I won’t have my phone with me — it’s going in the bin.”

Those remarks immediately raised questions about whether the 40-year-old Briton was hinting at retirement or simply expressing frustration after a gruelling season.

A Season to Forget

Hamilton’s first year in red quickly turned into a nightmare. He failed to secure a single podium — a first since making his debut with McLaren in 2007. His best result, a fourth place, came four times, while his qualifying performances steadily declined during the latter part of the season.

By year’s end, Hamilton had been outperformed by teammate Charles Leclerc, who dominated head-to-head stats:

Leclerc outqualified Hamilton 19-5
Leclerc finished ahead in races 18-3
Leclerc totaled 242 points to Hamilton’s 156

Hamilton himself summed it up best earlier in the season: “It’s been a nightmare — the worst season ever.”

Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert even suggested Hamilton’s tone in Abu Dhabi “sounded like a farewell speech”. “If you genuinely feel lost and unsure about how to navigate through your struggles, then why continue?” Herbert mused in an interview with NewBettingSites.

Vasseur Stands By His Drivers

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has moved quickly to defend both of his drivers following their emotional end-of-season comments.

“I don’t pay attention to what is said in the TV pen,” Vasseur stated. “The most important thing for me is to have drivers who come back to us and push the team to do a better job.”

His remarks subtly countered Ferrari chairman John Elkann, who had previously urged the drivers to “focus on driving and talk less.”

Vasseur, however, sees outspokenness as a positive.

“I’m not shocked when they come to me and say, ‘Fred, we have to improve this and that’ — it’s what we ask them to do,” he said. “Their DNA, and mine too, is to push the team forward.”

Ferrari’s Struggles and the Road Ahead

Ferrari’s 2025 campaign ended without a single race victory and a fourth-place finish in the Constructors’ Championship — a disappointing result for the iconic Italian team.

The Scuderia now faces immense pressure heading into 2026, when major regulation changes could reshuffle the competitive order. Hamilton remains under contract through that season, meaning his potential “farewell” may not yet be final.

However, whether he can regain his confidence — and whether Ferrari can deliver a car capable of challenging Red Bull and Mercedes — remains the big question heading into next season.

Could This Be the Beginning of the End?

Hamilton’s choice of words may have been emotional rather than literal, but they speak volumes about his growing frustration after a career built on excellence. As the winter break begins, fans are left wondering: Is this the beginning of Lewis Hamilton’s long goodbye to Formula 1 — or just another chapter in his legendary story?