Lewis Hamilton F1 retirement plan is clear after what he said at Dutch Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari struggles, Cadillac’s decision to sign Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas and Alpine’s plans for the flailing Franco Colapinto ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort

Lewis Hamilton has proven he knows exactly when to call time on his Formula 1 career. The seven-time champion’s Ferrari dream has been a nightmare so far and he was thoroughly miserable before the summer break.

He was not too much more upbeat when talking to the media on Thursday, either. At the Dutch Grand Prix, he spoke of wanting to rediscover his joy in the midst of a wretched season. But the most eye catching sentence he uttered was: « Whatever career you’re in, if you’re not enjoying what you’re doing, then why are you doing it? »

Good question, Lewis. He is 40 years old, has won the F1 title seven times and holds just about every record worth having. If anyone on the grid has nothing left to prove, it is Lewis Hamilton.

The boyish enthusiasm he had earlier this year when he started life as a Ferrari driver has clearly vanished. Hamilton is his own harshest critic and, when you are at the point of calling yourself « useless » – regardless of whether you really mean it – you have to question whether it is worth it anymore.

His contract runs into 2026 and he will surely keep going next year in the hope that Ferrari hit the jackpot in F1’s new era. But if it is more of the same, then surely it has to be his last season in the sport.

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Cadillac could not have come up with a more uninspiring driver line-up if they had tried. Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez have plenty of experience and it is clear why F1’s newbies have opted for two safe pairs of hands.

But they have also chosen two drivers who did little more than make up the numbers last year before they were axed by Sauber and Red Bull. Picking one or the other made total sense, but surely some dynamic fresh blood would have been a more invigorating call for their second seat?

From the archive

Max Verstappen became the only Dutchman ever to win or even make it to the podium in an F1 race on home soil when he won the 2021 event – the first held at Zandvoort for 36 years.

Fast fact

The 186 overtakes made in the chaotic 2023 Zandvoort race remains the most ever in an F1 World Championship Grand Prix.

Inside track

Alpine missed out on Bottas and Perez and so reserve driver Paul Aron is now top of their list and poised for an F1 debut later this year if Franco Colapinto cannot find form.

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