Lewis Hamilton should not retire from Formula One before the 2026 season despite a miserable first year with Ferrari. That’s the verdict of his former Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg, who says it would not be “cool” for the seven-time world champion to walk away after finishing eighth in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Hamilton joined Ferrari hoping he could end their 18-year wait for a world champion. But while McLaren driver Lando Norris was crowned the new king in the desert on Sunday night, Hamilton came home eighth after starting P16. The 40-year-old, who turns 41 next month, failed to record a single podium finish in 2025 and frequently spoke of his frustrations with the SF-25.
Hamilton even declared himself “useless” after the Hungarian Grand Prix in August and said Ferrari “probably need to change driver”. But Rosberg, who spent three seasons tussling with Hamilton and got the better of him to win the title in 2016, says the British veteran shouldn’t call it quits.
Rosberg told Sky Sports F1: “I think he has to continue. Stopping now is not cool. He only just started this Ferrari project. To give up after only one season doesn’t work.
“He has to continue, give it another shot and hope he feels comfortable in that next-year car. Maybe the car is a good car? This year’s car is not great. His great struggle this year was qualifying pace.
“In the race there was flashes of brilliance that we kept seeing. It’s just qualifying pace and with the car being so different next year, maybe he can find some of that old magic again in qualifying. The hope is still there, definitely.”
Rosberg’s Sky Sports colleague Martin Brundle added: “The trouble is his stats and his reputation is not being enhanced with this. I would have thought he’ll wait to see if Ferrari get it together for 2026.
“He’ll see how he’s going and how they are going and if he’s enjoying it. I think if we’re asking that question a year from now and he’s had a difficult season, it would be completely different. I would be very surprised if he just switches it off this winter.
Hamilton admits during the offseason he’ll relish the opportunity to completely ignore F1 for a few weeks. There are 91 days between the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and the 2026 opener in Melbourne, Australia.
“At the moment I’m only looking forward to the break. Just disconnecting. Not speaking to anyone,” said Hamilton.
“No one’s going to be able to get a hold of me this winter. I won’t have my phone with me. I’m looking forward to that. Just completely unplugged from the matrix. I can’t wait to get away from all this.
“I feel fine. I feel pretty fresh. I’m just looking forward to the break. I’ve said all I can about this season already, so there’s not much more to add to it. Just move forward.”