When Lewis Hamilton walked away from Mercedes at the end of last year, fans across the world anticipated a fairytale chapter in his storied career: the seven-time world champion, dressed in Ferrari red, returning the Scuderia to the top of Formula 1. Instead, the move has become the stuff of nightmares—races without points, candid admissions of failure, and whispers that the once-untouchable champion may never be the same again.

The Hungarian Grand Prix before the summer break was a particularly cruel reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in Formula 1. Hamilton was unceremoniously dumped out in Q2, languished outside the top 10 during the race, and left Budapest empty-handed. The low point wasn’t just in his performance, but in his words: he described himself as “useless,” even hinting that Ferrari might be better off replacing him altogether.

For a driver who once radiated unshakable confidence, the statement felt like a red flag. And former Ferrari driver Ivan Capelli wasted no time in cutting deeper.

“He Can No Longer Do It”

Capelli, who drove for Ferrari in 1991, gave a brutal six-word verdict in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport: “He can no longer do it.”

It was the kind of assessment that sent shivers down the paddock. Not because it was cruel, but because it echoed what many had already begun to suspect: Hamilton, the icon who once lifted Mercedes to unprecedented dominance, has lost something fundamental since stepping into Ferrari’s SF-25.

“I saw him lose the smile in his eyes,” Capelli explained. “What was his strength, which was to take the team by the hand in difficult moments, he can no longer do it and he has now realised it. Especially with such a fast team-mate next to him.”

That fast team-mate is Charles Leclerc, who currently sits 42 points ahead in the standings. Where Leclerc’s driving looks sharp, fluid, and inspired, Hamilton appears heavy, hesitant, and uncertain.

The Double Life of Lewis Hamilton

Capelli went further, describing Hamilton as living a “double life.” Off the track, he remains the same charismatic, global superstar—a seven-time champion who still commands attention with his style, his activism, and his presence. But once inside the cockpit, that aura evaporates.

“He can’t find an answer to his driving problems,” Capelli said. “It’s as if he is no longer able to adapt to what Ferrari requires of him.”

This inability to adapt has become a recurring theme. Hamilton spent 12 years inside the familiar, finely-tuned machine that was Mercedes. Ferrari, with its different culture, different car philosophy, and different expectations, has been a brutal change of scenery.

And now, the results are on display for the world to see.

A Career at a Crossroads

Hamilton’s critics argue that he has lost not just speed, but hunger. His raw edge. The fire that once carried him past the fiercest rivals in the sport. And as the struggles mount, speculation intensifies that the end could come sooner than anyone expected.

Sky Sports commentator Martin Brundle captured the unease perfectly: “The summer break couldn’t be more timely for Lewis to have a reset. It’s painful to observe this great champion in so much strife. We have to expect that he can weather the storm and return to form given his talent and experience—but otherwise, I simply can’t see him enduring two more seasons at Ferrari, or anywhere else, like this.”

It’s a sobering thought. Could Hamilton—Formula 1’s great modern icon—call time on his career before even finishing his Ferrari contract?

Clinging to 2026

Capelli, however, offered one glimmer of hope. He believes Hamilton’s true wild card lies in 2026, when sweeping new regulations will upend the sport. A totally new car, fresh rules, and a reset of the competitive order could be the lifeline Hamilton needs.

“At this point, the only wild card that Hamilton can still play for is 2026,” Capelli said. “A totally new car, with new rules and where everyone starts on an equal footing.”

The problem? Hamilton has to survive the present to reach that future. That means clawing back respect, regaining form, and proving that he still has the speed to justify his seat. Every race between now and the 2026 reboot will be a test not just of his driving, but of his resilience.

The End of the Smile

For now, the most haunting image may be the one Capelli described: the absence of a smile in Hamilton’s eyes. For years, that quiet confidence was his greatest strength. No matter the circumstances, Hamilton always carried himself like a man who believed he could win.

But now? The doubt is visible. The pressure is mounting. And the longer the drought continues, the more the legend of Lewis Hamilton risks being redefined—not as the driver who conquered Formula 1 seven times, but as the champion who stayed one season too long.

The Dutch Grand Prix after the summer break will offer the next chapter in this story. Redemption or decline? Revival or collapse?

For Hamilton, the stakes have never been higher.