F1 CEO Domenicali doubts Hamilton, Alonso will retire after 2025 season

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali strongly doubts that Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso will retire from the sport at the end of the 2025 season, describing the veteran champions as "giants" and "fighters" who remain crucial assets. Despite challenging starts to the year for both drivers—Hamilton with Ferrari and Alonso with a struggling Aston Martin—Domenicali believes their competitive fire will keep them on the grid as long as they have a capable car.

Why it matters:

The potential retirement of two of F1's most iconic and popular figures would represent a seismic shift for the sport's identity and fan engagement. Their continued presence provides a vital link between F1's past eras and its current competitive order, maintaining global interest while the next generation of drivers establishes itself.

The details:

• Domenicali's Verdict: The F1 CEO expressed his clear stance to media, stating, "That they stop this year, I have some doubts, because they are fighters... I don't see them retiring, to be very open with you. I hope that I'm right, because they are a very important asset for Formula 1."
• Hamilton's Current Challenge: The seven-time champion is in his second year with Ferrari, coming off a 2024 season where he failed to score a podium for the first time in his career. While hopeful under new regulations, he has been vocal about the challenges of managing the current generation of cars.
• Alonso's Difficult Pre-Season: The 44-year-old Spaniard's winter testing with Aston Martin was plagued by problems, including a power unit failure. The car appeared uncompetitive, potentially marking a tough start to the year for the two-time champion.
• Confidence in New Generation: Domenicali acknowledged the exciting emergence of young talent, referencing 2024's five rookies, but believes the audience shift would be manageable. He noted that today's faster connection methods would help new stars capture attention quickly if the veterans did step away.

Looking ahead:

The focus now shifts to the track, where both drivers' performances and team competitiveness will be the ultimate factors in their career decisions.

• If Ferrari or Aston Martin can provide a more competitive package, it will likely reinforce Domenicali's prediction and extend the careers of both legends.
• Conversely, another difficult season could intensify retirement speculation, forcing F1 to prepare for a monumental changing of the guard while relying on its new generation to captivate the global audience.