Lewis Hamilton’s Dutch Grand Prix ended early after he crashed out, marking his first retirement since joining Ferrari.
After a tough start to his time in Maranello, the seven-time champion had been hoping to kick off the second half of the season on a brighter note. He is still searching for that first podium in red.
However, the 40-year-old’s challenges did not ease up at Zandvoort. Hamilton struggled with understeer during Friday practice and even spun twice during those sessions.
Hamilton lined up seventh on the grid for the race, just behind Charles Leclerc, who qualified fifth. Rain was expected to play a big role in how things unfolded, with teams preparing for strategy to be a major factor.
The Brit found it tough to move forward early on due to the tight layout of the track. When rain started to fall, Hamilton asked his race engineer Riccardo Adami to try an undercut on Leclerc and George Russell – but things quickly went wrong from there.
Hamilton’s Dutch Grand Prix crash raises more questions over his Ferrari future
Ferrari responded to changing weather conditions by bringing Leclerc in for a pit stop on lap 23. Just as the rain began to intensify, Hamilton lost control coming out of turn four and hit the barrier, ending his race.
Leclerc’s race did not improve much either, as the safety car neutralised any advantage gained from the early stop. Meanwhile, social media reaction was swift and harsh, with fans calling for Hamilton to step away from F1.
One user posted: “So weird from Lewis.” Another added: “Guy has lost his edge over time.”
Others echoed similar thoughts: “Washed. Time to retire,” wrote one fan.
The criticism came after a season where Hamilton has yet to find his form. One fan wrote: “Sad to see a great champion losing his skills.”
Another added: “This has been so sad to see man he’s just not the same driver anymore… Wouldn’t be shocked if he retired after this season.”
One comment summed up the mood among some supporters: “Finally, Hamilton’s Ferrari fairy tale is exposed overrated and past his prime, he’s dragging the team down while Max proves real talent still rules. Time to retire and let a younger driver take the wheel!”
Lewis Hamilton’s struggles do not appear close to an end
Hamilton’s crash at Zandvoort is another blow to a 2025 season that has already been filled with frustration. The Brit, looking visibly down before the summer break, even told Ferrari to replace him following a difficult weekend in Budapest.
Jacques Villeneuve has expressed concerns over Hamilton’s recent comments about needing a ‘reset’ at Ferrari. The 1997 champion highlighted ongoing communication issues between Hamilton and the pit wall as a particular problem.
Inside the paddock, questions are being raised about whether Hamilton still has his edge, and even he hasn’t dismissed those doubts. His recent remarks have fuelled talk that retirement might not be far off.
There are some English journalists who believe he could walk away from F1 before the end of his contract. With Monza coming up next, he’ll want to show some improvement quickly.
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