Ferrari future in doubt for Hamilton as Sainz tipped for return – The Ferrari story has always been about more than just lap times. The Scuderia is as much about myth as machinery, and every driver who enters Maranello knows they are walking into history. Lewis Hamilton, seven-time world champion, finally made the move in 2025 that many thought would never happen. Yet less than a full season into his time in red, questions are already surfacing about whether this long-awaited partnership is destined to become a short-lived marriage of convenience.
Former Formula One driver Johnny Herbert has poured fresh fuel onto the speculation. The Briton, who now serves as a race steward and commentator, has suggested that should Hamilton walk away from Ferrari at the end of this season, the team might look not to a rising rookie or rival champion, but to a familiar face—Carlos Sainz. The Spaniard was Hamilton’s direct predecessor at the Scuderia before being moved aside to make space for the British superstar.
The Sainz factor
Sainz joined Ferrari in 2021 after Sebastian Vettel’s departure. His first season in red was a clear success, scoring four podiums and finishing ahead of Charles Leclerc in the standings. For a driver widely considered the team’s number two when he arrived, Sainz’s consistency and adaptability were crucial in stabilising the Scuderia during a turbulent rebuilding period.
Herbert points to this track record when discussing Ferrari’s future. In a recent interview, he referenced a short conversation in which Sainz admitted that he would not rule out a return to Maranello at some point in his career. While speculative, the comment has been enough to spark debate, particularly in light of Hamilton’s ongoing struggles.
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Hamilton’s Ferrari reality
For Hamilton, 2025 has not delivered the fairy tale so many anticipated. After years of dominance with Mercedes, the expectation was that he could lift Ferrari back to the top. Instead, after 14 races, the Briton sits sixth in the standings, behind his teammate Charles Leclerc. Despite flashes of speed in qualifying, Hamilton has yet to reach the podium in red, a stark contrast to Sainz who managed the feat within five races of his debut season.
At the Hungarian Grand Prix, Hamilton’s frustration boiled over. The 40-year-old labelled his own performance “absolutely useless,” a rare public display of self-criticism from a driver known for careful media management. The outburst has fuelled whispers of retirement, particularly as Ferrari continue to build around Leclerc, whose one-lap pace and consistent race results have kept him firmly in front of the seven-time champion.
Comparisons and context
Comparisons between Sainz and Hamilton are not straightforward. Hamilton’s career is defined by 103 victories and a joint-record seven titles. Yet in the Ferrari context, Sainz arguably adapted more quickly, balancing Leclerc’s speed with a more pragmatic race craft. In 2021, Sainz finished fifth in the championship with 164.5 points, ahead of Leclerc’s 159. By contrast, Hamilton in 2025 finds himself trailing both Leclerc and former teammate George Russell in the standings.
Herbert is quick to acknowledge that Sainz’s current season at Williams has been less impressive. The car is far from competitive, leaving the Spaniard battling in the midfield rather than for podiums. Yet, Herbert insists that Sainz remains “young and still doing a good job,” suggesting that circumstances rather than decline are behind his lower profile in the results sheets.
What Ferrari really need
The bigger question for Ferrari is not simply whether Hamilton stays or Sainz returns, but what kind of driver they truly need for the next phase of their project. Leclerc remains their long-term bet, a driver with outright pace capable of delivering pole positions and victories if given a championship-winning machine. What Ferrari must decide is whether Leclerc’s partner should be an experienced campaigner who can bring balance and stability, or a younger talent they can mould for the future.
Drivers like Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, or even junior talents from the Ferrari Academy could represent that long-term option. Yet the allure of Sainz is obvious. He knows the team, has proven himself competitive against Leclerc, and would offer fewer unknowns than a rookie or rival star. Ferrari, traditionally wary of placing two dominant personalities in one garage, may also see Sainz as a known quantity who can push Leclerc without destabilising the team dynamic.
Hamilton’s decision
Ultimately, the choice may not lie with Ferrari but with Hamilton himself. If he decides that his Ferrari adventure has not met expectations, retirement remains a serious possibility. At 40, he has little left to prove, and many within the paddock suspect his motivation has already begun to wane. Hamilton has spoken in the past about life beyond racing, from fashion to music to activism. Should he choose to walk away at the end of 2025, Ferrari would face a crossroads moment in shaping its future driver line-up.
Back to the future?
Sainz’s name being floated by Herbert may not yet signal a serious move by Ferrari, but it does highlight the sense of unease around Hamilton’s current trajectory. The Spaniard remains popular within Maranello circles, respected for his professionalism and adaptability. If Hamilton departs, Ferrari could do far worse than turning back to the man who previously steadied their ship.
For now, Hamilton’s fate remains in his own hands. His legacy is secure, but his Ferrari story is still being written. Whether it becomes a triumphant final chapter or a brief, forgettable coda may determine not just his own future, but also whether Carlos Sainz finds himself back in red sooner than expected.
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