He’s inked a deal with Ferrari that runs until 2026. But behind closed doors, rumors are swirling: Lewis Hamilton might walk away from Formula 1 before the contract ends.

Could 2025 be his final lap?

The Physical Toll of a Lifetime in F1

Hamilton may look invincible, but decades of pushing the human body to its limits take a toll. Insiders report that chronic neck and back pain—common in F1 drivers—has intensified. Though he rarely complains, his recent remarks about rest and longevity hint at something deeper.

“My body’s telling me things I used to ignore,” he said in a post-race interview late last season. “I’ve learned to listen now.”

Mental Burnout and Emotional Fatigue

Beyond the physical, there’s emotional exhaustion. Being the face of F1—and often, the only Black face—comes with a unique weight. The activism, the press, the pressure to always perform… it’s worn on him.

He’s spoken of needing “space to breathe” and the desire to explore life away from cameras and competition. Could he be planning a quiet farewell in Abu Dhabi later this year?

What’s Next if He Leaves?

If Hamilton does retire in 2025, insiders believe he’ll pivot to projects he’s deeply passionate about: film production, music, fashion, and humanitarian efforts. And perhaps—finally—a quieter personal life, filled with real relationships and slower mornings.

For now, fans can only speculate. But those closest to him say one thing with certainty: Hamilton’s next move, whatever it is, won’t be small.