BREAKING: Lewis Hamilton ‘might walk out’ of Ferrari as team staff doubts about F1 legend emerge… read more
Lewis Hamilton ‘Might Walk Out’ of Ferrari as Internal Doubts and Horner Rumours Stir Fresh Uncertainty
By Hugo Harvey
Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari adventure, once billed as one of the most romantic and daring moves in Formula 1 history, is already facing uncomfortable questions after claims emerged that the seven-time world champion “might walk out” of the Scuderia under certain circumstances. Just one season into his highly anticipated switch from Mercedes, speculation is growing that internal tensions, disappointing performance, and potential management upheaval could combine to bring an early and dramatic end to Hamilton’s time in red.
At the centre of the latest controversy is Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur. Although the Frenchman signed a contract extension last year, reports suggest his position may not be as secure as it appears on paper. Ferrari’s struggles during Hamilton’s first campaign, compounded by the looming pressure of new design regulations, have fuelled suggestions that the Italian giants could consider a leadership change if results do not improve sharply.
Christian Horner’s name has inevitably entered the conversation. The long-time Red Bull boss, who was relieved of his duties last summer after more than two decades at the helm, has been strongly linked with a return to Formula 1. Ferrari have long admired Horner’s success in building Red Bull into a dominant force, and his availability has reignited talk that Maranello could make a bold move if desperation sets in.
However, according to reports in the British media, such a scenario could have serious consequences for Hamilton. The Daily Mail claims that the prospect of working under Horner would “likely” be unacceptable to the Ferrari driver, raising the possibility that Hamilton “might walk out” should Vasseur be replaced by his former rival.
The roots of that tension run deep. Hamilton and Horner spent years on opposite sides of one of the most intense rivalries in modern F1, with relations reaching boiling point during the controversial 2021 title battle between Hamilton and Max Verstappen. That season not only fractured trust between Mercedes and Red Bull but also entrenched a personal and professional divide between Horner and Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, with Hamilton firmly aligned to the latter. For Hamilton, the idea of answering to Horner after years of acrimony is reportedly unpalatable.
Yet management intrigue is only one part of the story. In Italy, where Ferrari drivers are scrutinised more harshly than anywhere else in the sport, questions are being asked about Hamilton’s on-track impact. Veteran Italian journalist Leo Turrini has reported growing “grumblings” within the team regarding Hamilton’s performances during the 2025 season.
Writing in Quotidiano Nazionale, Turrini did not spare Ferrari’s machinery, bluntly describing the 2025 car as “a complete piece of junk.” However, he added that this alone does not explain the concerns. According to Turrini, Hamilton was “almost never up to Charles Leclerc’s level,” a damning assessment given Ferrari’s expectation that Hamilton would not only match but elevate the team’s competitive standard.
Turrini went further, suggesting that doubts have now “multiplied and exploded” within the Scuderia. Those doubts, he claims, are closely linked to the increasing chatter around Oliver Bearman. The young British driver, who impressed during his debut season with Ferrari customer team Haas, remains under Ferrari contract and is widely regarded as a potential long-term star.
Bearman’s strong rookie campaign has already put him on Ferrari’s radar, and another impressive season could intensify calls for his promotion to the senior team. In that context, Hamilton’s struggles carry extra weight. Ferrari have never been sentimental when it comes to driver decisions, and history suggests they will act ruthlessly if they believe a change is necessary.
For Hamilton, the situation represents a stark contrast to the dream he described when joining Ferrari. He spoke openly about fulfilling a childhood ambition and chasing an unprecedented eighth world title in red. Instead, his first year has been marked by frustration, technical shortcomings, and now whispers of internal dissatisfaction.
While there is no indication that Hamilton is actively seeking an exit, the convergence of poor performance, management uncertainty, and unresolved rivalries has created an uneasy atmosphere. Should Ferrari stumble again under the next regulation cycle, pressure on Vasseur will only intensify, and the Horner rumours will refuse to die.
If that happens, Ferrari could find themselves facing an extraordinary dilemma: pursue a high-profile leadership change at the risk of alienating their most famous driver, or back Hamilton and Vasseur in the hope that stability finally brings success. Either way, the idea that Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari story could end almost as quickly as it began no longer feels far-fetched.
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