Damon Hill says Lewis Hamilton can’t rely on the same instincts he used to in his younger years. Now 41, the seven-time champion is the second-oldest driver in Formula One.
Just nine drivers have won a Grand Prix after turning 40. The last to do it was Nigel Mansell at the 1994 Australian Grand Prix.
It’s also been more than six decades since anyone over 40 won a world title, with Bruce McLaren being the last to do so. While Hamilton still chases an eighth championship, there are those who question if he’s still capable of reaching that level again.
Lewis Hamilton realises he’s nearing the end of his racing career
Hamilton managed to win at least one race in each of his first 15 seasons in F1, but that streak ended in 2022. And by 2025, he’d gone an entire year without even a single podium finish for the first time.
Some see these numbers as clear signs of a driver past his best. Hamilton has even admitted to self-doubt on occasion, once describing himself as ‘useless’ and suggesting Ferrari should consider replacing him.
But speaking on the Stay On Track podcast, Hill said Hamilton has now ‘come to terms’ with reality. He knows he’s no longer in his prime, but his demeanour has generally been far more positive this year.
The mood shift may have something to do with Ferrari’s progress this season. Hamilton finally broke his podium drought at last month’s Chinese GP and looked like a contender again during the Canadian race weekend.
“It seems to me that he’s come to terms with the fact that he’s at that end of his career and you simply can’t keep doing the instinctive things you do when you’re 20,” said Hill.
Johnny Herbert urges Lewis Hamilton to face the reality of retirement
Speaking on the same podcast, Johnny Herbert added that Hamilton needs to be realistic about when it’s time to step away from racing.
Hamilton is under contract with Ferrari until the end of next season, and there hasn’t been any talk yet of him calling time on his career after that.
In fact, he’s said he wants to stay in the sport until F1 adds a race in Africa, and there’s no sign of that happening soon.
“With everything he’s done in his whole career, even before Formula 1, there’s always been that unbelievable talent that’s always been shining through,” Herbert said. “The one thing I would probably say if I was close to him is, ‘Be honest.’
“There is a point where things aren’t going to be as easy as they once were, your competitiveness is probably not going to be where it once was and you have to go: ‘I’ve had my time.’”
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