Lewis Hamilton’s performance in the 2026 Formula 1 season led Juan Pablo Montoya to completely change his prediction about the future of the seven-time champion. With the Ferrari driver occupying second place in the championship, just 50 points behind Kimi Antonelli and still in the title fight, the Colombian believes retirement should not happen anytime soon.
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In an interview with the AS Colombia podcast, Montoya stated: “Hamilton is not leaving for at least two or three years. If Ferrari continues as it is and Hamilton keeps performing like this, Hamilton will not retire.”
The statement contrasts with the opinion the former driver previously held. Like other figures in Formula 1, Montoya believed Hamilton could end his career at the end of 2026, after the difficulties faced in his first year at Ferrari.
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Despite the change in perspective, Montoya warned that a longer stay for Hamilton could make it harder for young talents in the Italian team: “So, if you have Hamilton for two or three years, the problem is that sooner or later, someone even cooler will appear for Ferrari,” he said.
He then gave an example involving the future of young drivers. “For example, if Rafael Câmara enters Formula 1 and they think Câmara is cooler, then Ollie Bearman would not come back – bad luck – because it all comes down to timing. It all comes down to how attractive you are and how people see you at that moment.”
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