Lewis Hamilton ignited curiosity last month when he took to social media to tease an announcement coming on August 8.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve struck the match. Now follow the smoke.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speculation mounts ahead of Lewis Hamilton announcement<\/p>\n
But what is it all about?<\/p>\n
Hamilton<\/a> also caused a stir earlier this year when he unfollowed everyone, even his dog Roscoe, on Instagram, Hamilton has been quite active on the platform in recent months.<\/p>\n His most recent post teased an announcement<\/a> coming on August 8.<\/p>\n He posted a short clip that showed a matchbox on a table in a dimly lit room, emblazoned with \u201808.08\u2019, before the clip moved onto a collage of black-and-white photographs of volcanoes and architecture.<\/p>\n In the accompanying caption, Hamilton wrote: \u201cWe\u2019ve struck the match. Now follow the smoke.\u201d<\/p>\n He offered no further details over the exact nature of his plans, leaving fans to speculate about the nature of the upcoming announcement.<\/p>\n Coming off the back of a challenging weekend at the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa, many fans seem to fear that he could be announcing his retirement and urged him to stay strong.<\/p>\n \u201cit\u2019s over\u201d don\u2019t do us like this. But it was a pleasure.\u201d responded i_logan_rice_i, while james_f12024 wrote: \u201cLewis, don\u2019t retire, it takes time to learn and get used to something new you are not alone (look at Carlos), just keep going and maybe next year will be your year. Keep pushing, champ.\u201d<\/p>\n There were also suggestions that he\u2019d be quitting Ferrari to return to Mercedes.<\/p>\n Others, though, reckon the announcement may have nothing to do with F1.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s either starting a clothing brand, home decor launch, or cologne. That or he\u2019s creating his own f1 team,\u201d speculated the_jackleta.<\/p>\n Analysis: Lewis Hamilton\u2019s mega-millions move to Ferrari<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49 10 biggest sports deals in history: Where does Lewis Hamilton\u2019s Ferrari salary rank?<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49 Lewis Hamilton net worth: Where does he rank against football icons Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo?<\/a><\/p>\n What Lewis Hamilton has said about August 8<\/p>\n Hamilton was asked about it at the Belgian Grand Prix, but kept his secrets to himself as he replied with a coy smile.<\/p>\n Q: What\u2019s happening on the 8th?<\/p>\n Hamilton: Hmm?<\/p>\n Q: On the 8th?<\/p>\n Hamilton: What\u2019s happening on the 8th?<\/p>\n Q: The 8th, 8th!<\/p>\n Hamilton: Oh. I can\u2019t say. I can\u2019t even give you a hint.<\/p>\n Q: Not even a hint?<\/p>\n Hamilton: No, I can\u2019t even give you a hint, no. You\u2019ve got to follow the smoke. Got to follow the smoke.<\/p>\n Q: I think that\u2019s a hint.<\/p>\n Hamilton just smiled.<\/p>\n So what could Lewis Hamilton\u2019s announcement relate to?<\/p>\n It\u2019s not his retirement; that\u2019s 99.9 per cent sure.<\/p>\n Although that\u2019s the most speculated, and feared, potential outcome, Hamilton has a multi-year contract with Ferrari, one that reportedly runs through to 2027, and it seems inconceivable that he would stop before F1 2026\u2019s reset.<\/p>\n With all new cars and engines in play, anything could happen next season \u2013 even Hamilton winning his record-breaking eighth World title. <\/p>\n