Lewis Hamilton Faces Toughest Season as Ferrari Debut Campaign Concludes in Abu Dhabi
Introduction: A Difficult Debut for a Seven-Time Champion
Lewis Hamilton’s highly anticipated move to Ferrari has proven to be one of the most challenging chapters in his illustrious Formula 1 career. Hamilton has endured a disastrous first season with Ferrari following his move from Mercedes last winter and is on course to go through the entire F1 2025 campaign without a podium finish. As the season concludes at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the British driver’s struggles highlight the unpredictability of F1 and the complexities of adapting to a new team environment.
Recent Struggles and Record-Breaking Lows
The final races of 2025 have been particularly brutal for Hamilton. Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton says he “doesn’t have the words to express how I feel” after suffering a fourth consecutive Q1 exit at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. This dismal run includes consecutive qualifying eliminations in the opening session, a rare occurrence for the decorated champion. It is the first time since the 2009 Monaco-Turkish-British GPs that Hamilton has suffered three straight Q1 exits, in the season Hamilton had previously branded a “nightmare.”
Hamilton has called 2025 his “worst season ever”, too, having never before failed to claim at least one Grand Prix podium in a term. The seven-time world champion now faces the prospect of breaking his remarkable record of scoring at least one podium in every season of his career.
Ferrari’s Strategic Decision and Hamilton’s Response
Part of Ferrari’s problems stems from their decision to cease developing the SF-25 in April to use their wind tunnel resources on their car for the 2026 F1 regulations. While team principal Fred Vasseur admitted to underestimating the psychological impact of this choice, Hamilton defended the strategy. “This decision was absolutely correct, and I advocated for us to abandon the 2025 project and focus everything on 2026,” Hamilton stated.
Despite the difficulties, “I don’t regret the decision I’ve made joining the team,” Hamilton affirmed, demonstrating his commitment to the long-term Ferrari project.
Looking Ahead: Uncertain Future but Cautious Optimism
As Hamilton prepares for the final race of the season, his outlook remains uncertain. When asked about his plans for improvement, “I don’t at the moment, I don’t have any plans for anything,” he admitted candidly. However, the upcoming 2026 regulations present a fresh opportunity for both Hamilton and Ferrari to reset and potentially return to competitive form.
For Formula 1 fans and observers, Hamilton’s challenging season serves as a reminder that even the sport’s greatest champions can face unexpected obstacles. The coming months will be crucial as Ferrari and Hamilton work together to transform their fortunes ahead of the 2026 season.