For Johnny Herbert, 2026 is Hamilton’s last chance for the title

A final year to make even more history? Since his arrival in F1, Lewis Hamilton has broken numerous records. Holder of the most wins (105) and the most pole positions (104), the Briton now wishes to become the sole record holder for the number of world titles (he currently has 7 titles, just like Michael Schumacher). For this goal, he made the decision to join Ferrari this season. The partnership seemed ideal on paper. Lewis Hamilton, frustrated after difficult recent seasons with Mercedes, joined a legendary team that was riding on a positive 2024 where they were close to winning the constructors’ title. On the other hand, the Italian brand had an extremely talented, fast, and experienced driver capable of securing a title that the team has been coveting since 2007 with Räikkönen’s championship.

Unfortunately, the first few weeks did not go as planned. The adaptation seems difficult for the Brit, who is still struggling to feel completely comfortable in a Ferrari that seems less competitive than last season. Doubts are beginning to settle in, and some are already drawing conclusions, starting with Johnny Herbert. The former F1 driver, winner of three races, is categorical: 2026 is Hamilton’s last chance to clinch a title. Otherwise, it could be the end. “I think 2026 is Lewis Hamilton’s last chance to get that eighth championship,” Herbert said to AceOdds. “He is 40 now, is he at his peak? No. Has that peak passed? Yes. Is he still very good? Yes.”

Charles Leclerc, an obstacle to Hamilton’s quest

The Briton also indicated that if he wants to claim his eighth title, he will have to be better than his teammate, something he is struggling to do at the start of the season. For Herbert, Hamilton’s acclimatization at Ferrari is taking longer than expected. Charles Leclerc is better than Hamilton at the moment. So, even if Ferrari is making progress, he will have to beat his teammate. After a difficult race in Australia, his season with Ferrari seemed really promising in China with his victory in the Sprint, but since then, it hasn’t been working out. Charles Leclerc is having a more consistent season, with good performances. For now, Ferrari is getting podium finishes, it’s not catastrophic.

This is currently the third or fourth best team. They need to step up to compete with McLaren and Red Bull. Lewis will need to be at his best to beat Charles this season. The pressure is on. There’s an adaptation period for Hamilton, but I thought he would have overcome it by now and shown he was faster than Charles Leclerc. It just hasn’t happened. Leclerc joined Ferrari and ousted Sebastian Vettel. Hamilton hasn’t managed to do that yet, and Leclerc continues to dominate the situation with his consistency and speed. Hamilton, on the other hand, is consistently ranking eighth or ninth at the moment.

A new breath necessary for Hamilton

The British commentator nevertheless thinks that the former McLaren driver made the right choice by leaving Mercedes. Since the new regulations of 2022, the Stevenage native had struggled to perform within the German team in a car behavior that did not suit him. Last season, the Mercedes was very inconsistent: sometimes capable of winning, sometimes far from the podium. I had the impression that Lewis Hamilton was also losing his motivation in the team and was frustrated. The one who always found motivation was Ayrton Senna. He would return later than the others for testing and win championships. Hamilton needed this new breath of life at Ferrari.

« I think that if Hamilton had stayed at Mercedes, George Russell would give him as much trouble as Leclerc does now. The move to Ferrari was the right decision for a fresh start. But will we see the Hamilton of old? That’s in his hands. »

Despite all his victories, the Briton is still hungry. His transfer to Ferrari has given him renewed motivation and he is now ready for his ultimate challenge: to win one last title with the most legendary team in the sport, something Alonso or Vettel couldn’t achieve. A way for him to write an even bigger page in the history of this sport.