Martin Brundle: Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari damaging his ‘stats and fame’

F1 commentator Martin Brundle has warned Lewis Hamilton that his “stats and fame” are being broken by his nightmare Ferrari stint.

Hamilton endured a depressing first 12 months at Ferrari, failing to complete on the rostrum in any of his 24 races for the group.

The seven-time world champion additionally set an undesirable file for consecutive Q1 exits on the finish of the 12 months.

Whereas Ferrari did not ship a race-winning automotive – even in Charles Leclerc’s arms – Hamilton will probably be hoping that the brand new 2026 guidelines play extra into his strengths.

Inevitably, Hamilton’s poor type – and his resigned post-session interviews – have sparked debate over his F1 future.

Hamilton will probably be 41 by the point the brand new season begins in 2026, making him the second-oldest driver on the grid.

With Hamilton comfortably essentially the most profitable driver within the sport’s historical past when it comes to race victories, he can bow out along with his head held excessive.

Hamilton’s motivation nonetheless stems from the eighth title he misplaced in 2021.

He additionally stays adamant that he can lead Ferrari to their first drivers’ title since 2007.

Will Hamilton retire?

Hamilton’s poor efficiency throughout the Abu Dhabi GP sparked a dialogue between Brundle and Nico Rosberg.

Rosberg, Hamilton’s childhood buddy and former championship-winning teammate, requested Brundle whether or not he thought Hamilton might retire forward of 2026.

Rosberg stated on Sky Sports activities: “It’s horribly powerful. And that’s why, truly, Martin, do you suppose he may name it a day on this unbelievable profession and retire?”

Brundle replied: “The difficulty is that his stats and his fame aren’t being enhanced with this.

“However I might have thought he’ll wait and see if Ferrari get it collectively for 2026, see how he’s going, see how they’re going, if he’s having fun with it. I feel if we had been asking that query a 12 months from now, when he’s had a troublesome season. I might be very stunned if he simply switches it off within the winter. What do you suppose?”

Rosberg continued: “I feel he has to proceed, as a result of he’s stopping, that’s not cool.

“He solely simply began this Ferrari mission, and to surrender in a method, after just one season, I feel that doesn’t work.

“So, he has to proceed and provides it one other shot and hope that possibly he feels comfy and that subsequent 12 months’s automotive, and that possibly that automotive can also be a superb automotive, as a result of this 12 months’s automotive will not be nice.”

Hamilton’s focus has rapidly turned to 2026, participating within the post-season Abu Dhabi check on Tuesday.

He shared driving duties with Ferrari teammate Leclerc on the Yas Marina Circuit.

They are going to return to motion in January as pre-season testing begins with a shakedown occasion in Barcelona.