The latest edition of our completely free Formula 1 round-up newsletter is now live and this week leads on the rumours surrounding Lewis Hamilton and his future in the sport. Given we've again got a couple of weeks without a race, after the five-week gap between Japan and Miami, it's probably not much of a surprise that some have resorted to this speculation.
Especially as there's always a massive appetite for news about Hamilton and when he might retire from F1. The seven-time world champion is 41 years old these days and has won only two Grands Prix since 2021. He has managed zero victories as a Ferrari driver so far and, after a positive start to the current season, frustration seems to be creeping back in a little.
Ferrari started the year well and actually felt they had built a chassis that was on par with the one Mercedes put on track in Melbourne two months ago. The difference was that the Silver Arrows had made a better engine, but still there was optimism at Ferrari given they were starting from a really strong base.
But two months later, and after the Miami race which saw every team except Aston Martin bring upgrades, the mood is threatening to sour once again. Ferrari brought one of the most significant packages of anyone but couldn't squeeze much extra performance out of it on track, while McLaren made a huge step and look to have leapfrogged the Scuderia in the pecking order.
There's additional misery for Hamilton at the moment as, save for that weekend in China back in March where he finally got that first Ferrari podium, he has been consistently off the pace set by team-mate Charles Leclerc. The Brit actually finished ahead in Miami, but only after Leclerc's last-lap spin which damaged his car, saw him drop to sixth and then further to eighth with a post-race penalty. But, in terms of performance, Hamilton was overshadowed again.
That's likely why his long-term future has become a topic of conversation again. The ever-blunt Ralf Schumacher made a load of headlines last week by telling Hamilton and fellow veteran Fernando Alonso, also finding things tough at Aston Martin right now, "it's time to retire".
The other story that has been quite widely reported is a supposed rumour that Hamilton might announce his retirement plans at Silverstone in a couple of months' time. The appeal is obvious: Give his home fans one last chance to celebrate him and his many successes in his final British Grand Prix.
Here's the thing, though: This whole rumour was started because one Dutch journalist said on a podcast that he wouldn't be surprised if Hamilton did something like that. That's it. There's no actual evidence at all - and we've checked - that Hamilton is even beginning to contemplate retirement right now. The only thing he's said he's going to do differently since Miami is spend less time on Ferrari's simulators, because he thinks they're leading him down the wrong path in terms of car setups.
Beyond that, there's nothing at all in these rumours right now. That's not to say it won't happen, and it certainly would be great for British fans to be able to say goodbye to Hamilton properly knowing that he'll never race an F1 car at Silverstone again. But there's nothing to suggest that will be the case this year. Let's see how that turns out.
One thing you can be sure of is that you'll never miss a thing with our F1 round-up newsletter Pit Lane Chronicle, which is sent out to thousands of highly-engaged subscribers every Wednesday. It's chock-full of stories concerning every team up and down the grid and there's not a single advert in sight! Subscribe to receive it in your inbox every Wednesday, for free.
-
27 buffaloes rescued from illegal transport vehicle near Jappinamogaru

-
Concerns Rise Over Weather Patterns as Early Monsoon Approaches India

-
Tourists fined Rs 2,000 for littering near Saanur on Karkala–Moodubidri highway

-
New data 'shows common drink slashes heart disease risk by 22%'

-
'Exceptional' BBC series starring musician makes splash on Rotten Tomatoes
