Hamilton: 2025, the worst season in F1, rates his year with Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton calls 2025 his worst season in Formula 1

British driver Lewis Hamilton, after a race at the Las Vegas Grand Prix where he started from the last position on the grid, finished in the top 10, although initially in tenth place. Hamilton moved up to eighth position due to the disqualification of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri from McLaren. Hamilton’s season with Ferrari has been disappointing, and in Las Vegas, the seven-time world champion qualified last on his own merit for the first time in his career.

Terrible. It has been the worst season of all. No matter how hard I try, it keeps getting worse.

Lewis Hamilton

When asked about what he was trying to do to change the situation, Hamilton replied: “Trying everything, in and out of the car”.

Statistically, this season is one of the worst for Hamilton, as he currently occupies sixth place in the championship. This year could be their third winless season in four years, after having achieved at least one victory in 15 consecutive seasons since their debut in 2007. Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was the main topic of the 2025 pre-season, but expectations quickly faded as they were unable to compete for the top positions. Hamilton achieved pole position and victory in the sprint race in China earlier this year, but has not achieved any pole position or podium finish in a Grand Prix this year. After the television interview and before the confirmation of McLaren’s disqualification, Hamilton was asked if he felt any satisfaction for adding a point.

Zero. I gained 10 positions, but it doesn’t mean anything. It’s still a bad weekend.

Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton is 74 points behind his teammate Charles Leclerc. Ferrari has fallen to fourth place in the constructors’ standings. When asked if Ferrari can overtake Mercedes and Red Bull to secure second place in the constructors’ championship, a dejected Hamilton said: “I don’t know how many points we have. But at this rate, with my performance, we have no chance. I’ve had 22 bad weekends [this season], so I anticipate a couple more.” Before Las Vegas, Hamilton described his first season at Ferrari as a “nightmare” after qualifying 12th in Brazil and retiring from the race after a collision on the first lap. In the Hungarian Grand Prix, mid-season, he qualified himself as “useless” and suggested that Ferrari should change drivers. Ferrari president John Elkann urged the seven-time world champion to “talk less and focus more on his driving”. It is believed that his contract with Ferrari extends at least until the end of 2026, although Hamilton has recently suggested that he has a contract that will extend beyond that date.