Lewis Hamilton: Jackie Stewart says it's time for 7-time champ to leave Formula 1

Three-time world champion Jackie Stewart has told Lewis Hamilton that it could be time for him to leave Formula 1.

Between the two British motorsport icons, 10 world championship titles have been won in the sport, and that is a haul that makes them two of the biggest names in Formula 1.

Hamilton, of course, is having a tough season but will feel as though there can still be success ahead, providing Mercedes get on top of all the issues that they have had so far this campaign.

For Stewart, though, it might well be time for Lewis to hang up the gloves at the end of the season, especially with the performances of George Russell in mind this year.

Speaking to the Convex Conversation podcast, the Scotsman said:

“It’s time for him to resign.

“He’s now struggling a little bit because he’s had a new teammate who’s been quicker than him in qualifying so far, which is going to be difficult for him to handle.” 

Hamilton has a contract at Mercedes until the end of the 2023 season and so, if all goes as is planned, he won’t be retiring until the end of next year at the earliest.

However, it is clear that Stewart thinks Hamilton’s time might have come to bow out of the sport, and that is certainly a bold claim indeed from the three-time world champion.

Certainly, Hamilton won’t like the fact he’s not winning or that he’s being beaten by George Russell so far this year, but whether it’s enough to make him consider his future in the sport is another thing altogether.

Lewis may well relish the idea of turning this season around for a run at the championship potentially next year, and it just remains to be seen what he decides.