Lewis Hamilton is the second-oldest driver currently on the Formula 1 grid.

Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso is the only other driver over the age of 40 racing in F1 alongside Lewis Hamilton.

In the past, it wasn’t uncommon for drivers to race into their 40s or even 50s in Formula 1.

Luigi Fagioli won the 1951 French Grand Prix at the age of 53, and even someone like Alonso or Hamilton is unlikely to have that level of stamina.

However, both drivers are hoping things improve next year, when Formula 1’s newest regulation set is introduced.

Aston Martin have hired Adrian Newey and have exclusive use of Honda’s power units, which Alonso will hope drags them from F1’s midfield into championship contention.

Ferrari are currently suffering from a 17-year trophy drought, and both team principal Fred Vasseur and Hamilton’s teammate Charles Leclerc will be desperate for the Scuderia to be on top of the standings once again.

Ferrari haven’t switched full focus to 2026 yet, but former driver Juan Pablo Montoya has been discussing Hamilton and Alonso’s Formula 1 futures.

He feels that the issues the Scuderia are currently dealing with could end up cutting Hamilton’s storied F1 career short.

Photo by Kym Illman/Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso’s retirement dates predicted by Juan Pablo Montoya

Montoya was speaking on the MontoyaAS Podcast and was talking about Alonso’s longevity.

The 43-year-old Spaniard has taken part in more than one-third of all the races in Formula 1 history after making his debut back in 2001 when plenty of his current rivals weren’t even born.

The Colombian ex-F1 driver explained: “I think Fernando will have a couple more years left.

“I think if next year, if 2026 is a bad year for Aston, personally, I would be surprised if Fernando stayed much longer.

“Maybe one more year to give him another chance, but not much longer.

“Personally, I think 2026 or 2027 is Fernando’s last season, and it’s similar for Lewis.

“Yes, if Ferrari doesn’t change or improve, it’s hard for him to stay for many more years.”

Ferrari already under pressure to perform during the 2026 Formula 1 season

Hamilton’s current Ferrari contract runs until the end of the 2026 season, but an option for a further year could be activated.

Ferrari would have hoped for more from the seven-time world champion, despite Hamilton’s move being incredibly lucrative from a marketing standpoint.

However, he’s not too far off Leclerc this season, with the Monegasque driver equally unhappy that he’s not challenging for podiums and race wins each weekend.

Alex Brundle is worried F1’s 2026 cars won’t suit Hamilton after seeing how much he’s suffered during the ground effect era.

More importantly, development on Ferrari’s car needs to be perfect given how competitive the likes of McLaren, Mercedes, Red Bull and possibly an outsider like Aston Martin are going to be.

Rumours about Ferrari’s 2026 engine are concerning, but until any car takes to the track, it’s impossible to know whether that’s a serious issue.

Hamilton won’t want to walk away from F1 without one more title challenge, but whether that’s realistic is another matter.