Source: Imagn Images/Sam Navarro
[Saba Sports News] Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert told the media that if Lewis Hamilton fails to win the title in 2026, he will forever miss out on his eighth championship at the age of 40. The three-time F1 Grand Prix winner pointed out: “When Leclerc is 0.3 seconds faster per lap, age cannot be an excuse.” With Hamilton’s continuous decline at Ferrari – in the first five races of this season, he finished behind his teammate four times, paddock started questioning whether he had passed his peak. Recently disclosed Ferrari internal data was shocking: Hamilton made 40% more steering inputs than Leclerc in low-speed corners but was 15 km/h slower in corner entry speed. The team technical director admitted that the modified suspension settings tailored for Hamilton actually increased tire wear by 28% during the race. Worse still, the development of the 2026 regulations fully revolves around Leclerc’s data, and if Hamilton cannot prove himself this season, he risks being reduced to a “high-cost No. 2 driver.” This high-stakes bet on “the last championship of his career” is turning into a brutal clash between time and talent. Cold predictions circulated in the paddock: If the points gap between the two exceeds 30 after the Monaco Grand Prix, Ferrari may prematurely initiate the “post-Hamilton era” plan.