Following the Las Vegas Grand Prix, when approached by Autosport and questioned about whether he derived any sense of accomplishment from a race where he had to fight his way from the back of the grid to score points, he stated, “zero”.
The remaining part of his comments were challenging to understand amid the commotion of the Las Vegas paddock. As his initial season with Ferrari progresses and he encounters more difficulties, Hamilton’s responses seem to diminish in audibility. After experiencing a disappointing qualifying session in Las Vegas on Friday night, his voice was barely above a whisper both that evening and the subsequent day after the race.
A skeptical person might suggest that Hamilton is simply adhering to Ferrari chairman John Elkann’s preference for drivers who are less verbose. However, it’s evident that for someone who has achieved 105 grand prix victories and 202 podium finishes, his first season without a podium, and his first with Ferrari, a team he admired since childhood, has been unpleasant. It has been a complete failure.
There was a belief that after struggling to adapt to Mercedes’ current generation of cars, Ferrari’s handling characteristics would be a better fit for him. However, that notion proved to be an illusion at some point during the 2025 season. The sooner this ground-effect era concludes, the better. This sentiment applies to most drivers, but particularly to Hamilton, as he mentioned in Qatar: “We’re definitely looking forward to seeing the back of these ones.”
The attraction of a significant reset in 2026 is the main reason Hamilton decided to join in the first place, as it presents an opportunity to rediscover his form with completely new cars and power units. Therefore, it didn’t make much sense to interpret his post-Vegas remarks about not anticipating 2026 at face value.
If you ask anyone in the paddock – mechanics, drivers, journalists – if they are enthusiastic about 2026 at this moment, the answer will undoubtedly be no. If there’s one thing to anticipate after the current season-ending triple-header, it’s the chance to reconnect with homes, partners, friends, and pets. The thought of pre-season testing commencing in just over eight weeks, and the launch season occurring even earlier, is met with a collective sigh by most individuals within the paddock.
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Photo by: Dom Gibbons / LAT Images via Getty Images
“I would be surprised if the other drivers are looking forward to the upcoming year at the conclusion of a season because generally, you don’t possess a great deal of energy at that point,” Hamilton stated. “You are looking forward to spending time with family and engaging in similar activities.”
“That perspective is simply a reflection of the frustration I felt [regarding his 2026 statements]. There is frequently a significant level of frustration at the conclusion of races, especially when they haven’t unfolded in a favorable manner. So, no, I am eager to observe what the team develops in the subsequent year and to persist in building upon our progress in collaboration with them.”
That does not diminish the reality that 2025 has been a source of disappointment for Hamilton, and although he wasn’t the only driver finding it difficult to adjust to a new team and environment, it has required more time than he initially anticipated.
The individual he replaced, Carlos Sainz, also needed some time to reach his optimal level of performance. However, the Spaniard then proceeded to match his teammate’s pace and secure a podium finish for Williams. This is something Hamilton hasn’t appeared capable of achieving, even though he has gotten closer to qualifying expert Charles Leclerc during the latter half of the season.
Nevertheless, Hamilton maintains that he has no reservations regarding the challenges he has encountered in attempting to match Leclerc, who has been a part of the Maranello setup since 2019.
“I am not concerned about it, no. I have been primarily concentrating on my own performance throughout this period,” Hamilton explained. “Evidently, Charles has been performing exceptionally well. He has been here for seven years and has a team surrounding him that he has collaborated with for numerous years, so it is a highly efficient and well-coordinated operation.”
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Photo by: Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
“From my perspective, I am working with a new group of individuals. It is a different environment for me, and I am still becoming accustomed to collaborating with them. Furthermore, I acquired another new [team] member halfway through the year, so we are striving as diligently as possible. However, achieving the same level of efficiency as someone who has had that team for several years is not something that can be accomplished instantaneously. It necessitates a period of adjustment.
“We have a considerable amount of work to undertake during the winter break. We will analyze the season and identify numerous areas for improvement that we must collectively address. No one within the team is under the illusion that we will not be required to contribute, and I am confident that we are capable of doing so. Consequently, I am hopeful that we will implement and effectuate those modifications, alongside a potentially improved package in the upcoming year.”
Hamilton mentioned that the encouragement he has received from the enthusiastic tifosi has sustained him throughout the year, even though the inability to reward Ferrari’s fanbase with the results that their fervor merits has been difficult to accept.
“The fervor is the most distinctive aspect of the brand and the individuals who are employed by it—the tifosi, as we journey around the world, the remarkable support that we receive,” Hamilton reflected on the primary source of optimism in 2025.
“I believe that it potentially exacerbates the difficulty of weekends when we encounter challenges, as you can observe the passion, dedication, and relentless effort that every individual is investing back at the factory, and the outcomes are not adequately reflecting or rewarding their efforts.”
Hamilton is increasingly encountering more frequent and pronounced calls from certain factions to consider retirement. Nevertheless, when questioned about whether he had any misgivings regarding the decision to sign the Ferrari contract, which is reportedly for a duration of three years, Hamilton unequivocally dismissed that notion. Giving up is not a feasible option: “I do not regret the decision I made to join the team. I understand that it requires time to construct and develop within an organization, and I anticipated that.”
However, as for 2025, the conclusion cannot arrive soon enough. If there were ever a time when Hamilton needed to rejuvenate his energy reserves, it is now, following what he acknowledges as his most challenging season to date.
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– The Autosport.com Team
