Lewis Hamilton should retire from Formula 1 and focus on his business interests and endorsements, according to three-time world champion Jackie Stewart.
Speaking on The Convex Conversation, Stewart said it was “a pity” Hamilton didn’t retire “when he was on top”.
“He’s got music, he’s got culture. He loves clothing and the rag trade would be absolutely suitable for him,” Stewart said.
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“When it came time to leave (McLaren), it was Lewis Hamilton’s decision to go to Mercedes Benz because he saw that potential of what they had to offer.
“He won six world championships … he’s now struggling a little bit, because he’s had a new teammate who’s been quicker than him in qualifying, which is going to be difficult for him to handle.
“I think it’s time for him to resign.”
At the time, Hamilton’s move from McLaren to Mercedes at the end of 2012 was viewed as a massive step backwards. He won his first race with the team at the 2013 Hungarian Grand Prix.
Since then he’s won 81 more races for the squad, won six drivers world championships, and helped Mercedes to eight-straight constructors world championships.
So far in 2022, Hamilton is down 7-2 in the head-to-head against new teammate George Russell. Unless Mercedes fix the chronic porpoising the team has been battling all year, he is also facing his first winless year since his Grand Prix debut in 2007.
Stewart said Hamilton had proven himself to be one of the best the sport had ever seen, and would be remembered as a legend.
“Lewis is in that group of the Ayrton Sennas and the Alain Prosts – or even the Jackie Stewart maybe – but he’s carried the sport very well.
“I would like to see him resigning now. It’s a pity he wasn’t resigning at the top, but I don’t think that’s going to happen now.
“Nevertheless, it’s wiser to stop than go through all the pain of not being able to do what you did before.”
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