Hamilton: I am eager for the conclusion.

      Could 2026 Signal the Conclusion of Hamilton’s Career?

      Ferrari is under increasing scrutiny after yet another disappointing weekend and increasingly pessimistic remarks from Lewis Hamilton, following reports that the company has halted development on the anticipated F44 sports car. This situation adds to the turbulent atmosphere at Maranello, especially after chairman John Elkann publicly chastised Hamilton for needing to "talk less."

      Hamilton had a rough qualifying session, finishing last in Las Vegas, and despite recovering to finish tenth on track—eighth after McLaren's disqualifications—he expressed that the outcome was far from reassuring. "It’s a terrible result, and there’s nothing positive I can take from it," he stated to reporters. "I’ll be glad when it’s over; I’m looking forward to the end. And I’m not excited about what comes next." When asked if he was referring to the next race, Hamilton clarified, "The next season."

      He denied contemplating retirement, responding with "No, no," but added, "Just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse, they did." Speaking to Sky Italia, the seven-time world champion remarked, "As for wishes for the last two races? I’m sure I’ve exhausted my wishes." He described the prior 22 grands prix as "terrible" and questioned why the upcoming two would suddenly improve.

      Terruzzi has also suggested that Charles Leclerc is privately assessing his own future, indicating that "Leclerc will wait for Ferrari for the first three or four races of the 2026 season. If the results are disappointing again, he will join Aston Martin starting in 2027." Former F1 driver Vitaly Petrov believes 2026 might be pivotal for Hamilton. "Fans have been anticipating strong results for quite some time, and Lewis Hamilton has faced a wave of negativity," he stated on the SMP Racing Telegram channel. "I think he is eager to finish this season quickly. It will be intriguing to see how he prepares for 2026; it could either mark a resurgence for him or signal the end of his career."

      Team principal Frederic Vasseur, who was unusually reserved during the Vegas weekend following Elkann's comments, attempted to instill a sense of calm after the race. "I can understand Lewis’s reaction immediately after the race, but we need to cool down, discuss it, and focus on the next two races," he conveyed to DAZN. Vasseur emphasized that Hamilton's initial remarks were made under considerable pressure. "The encounter with the television cameras five minutes post-race, especially after a poor day, is incredibly tough," he explained. "I comprehend the adrenaline and emotions, which can lead to someone making a strong statement at this point in the weekend."

      He expressed a preference for candid responses rather than scripted positivity. "I favor drivers being honest at the end of the race when we haven’t performed perfectly," Vasseur noted. "Rather than someone going on TV saying, ‘The team is perfect, the car is good, blah, blah, blah.’" The Ferrari chief maintained that the weekend wasn’t as disastrous as the final result suggested. "Hamilton showed good pace in the first two practice sessions," he pointed out. "He struggled in qualifying, but the situation wasn’t as dire as it appeared." Ferrari’s drivers, including Leclerc, who labeled qualifying as "embarrassing," voiced their frustrations in Las Vegas, and Vasseur conceded, "We should calm down."