Jenson Button explains what Lewis Hamilton must do to secure Ferrari future
· Yahoo Sports
Jenson Button has offered his backing to Lewis Hamilton, suggesting the seven-time world champion will postpone retirement for at least another year, but cautioned that Ferrari could ultimately dictate his future if he fails to deliver on track.
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Hamilton, 41, endured a challenging inaugural season with Ferrari following his high-profile transfer from Mercedes in 2025. At one point, he candidly described his own performance as "useless" and even suggested the Italian outfit consider replacing him.
However, a promising fourth-place finish at the season opener in Australia was followed by his first Ferrari podium, securing third in China.
Subsequent races saw him finish sixth in both Japan and Miami, leaving him 49 points adrift of Kimi Antonelli in the championship standings and eight behind his Ferrari teammate, Charles Leclerc. Hamilton’s current multi-year deal with Ferrari is understood to extend through to 2027.
Jenson Button feels Lewis Hamilton still has more to offer at Ferrari (PA Wire)Reflecting on Hamilton’s initial struggles, Button told the Press Association: "Obviously, last year was not the easiest for Lewis. He spent so many years in a team (Mercedes) that he knew really well, and had a lot of support from that team. Then, you go to a different team that is based in Italy, and he doesn’t speak Italian. He doesn’t have that on his side, whereas his team-mate does."
The 2009 world champion added: "So, it does take a minute to get used to it, especially at 40 years old when learning is a lot more difficult than it is in your twenties. But it has been really good to see him competitive this year, and fighting with Charles."
Button emphasised the importance of current form, as he claimed, "as long as you’re competitive the (external) noise doesn’t really matter. If he is as quick as he thinks he should be, then it is fine, and it doesn’t matter what other people say from the outside. If he is doing a job that he thinks is good enough, then he will have that confidence and want to carry on if he is enjoying it."
However, Button also highlighted the team’s ultimate power: "If he is not quick, the team will make a decision. You can’t just leave it up to a driver when they retire. If they are not quick enough, they are not quick enough.
“But Lewis this year has shown he has still got the speed. I have no idea if he will carry on beyond this season, but I don’t see why he wouldn’t."
Turning his attention to Hamilton’s former Mercedes teammate, George Russell, Button acknowledged his current position, trailing Antonelli by 20 points heading into the Canadian Grand Prix. Despite Russell’s victory in the season opener, Antonelli, 19, has since secured a hat-trick of wins.
Button has also given his backing to George Russell (PA Wire)Button, speaking as part of a global initiative by Hot Wheels and Formula One, expressed confidence in Russell’s ability to rebound.
"George will bounce back," he stated. "He knows how quick he is. As a driver, you always have some insecurities, but he is confident that he can be as quick as Kimi, if not quicker."
He concluded: "It is still very early in the season. If it was eight or nine races in, then yes, you would have to worry if your team-mate was in front of you at every race. But I expect George to be fighting back in Canada and we all want that fight to happen."