Ferrari’s Hamilton labels 2025 ‘worst season ever’

DCM Editorial Summary: This story has been independently rewritten and summarised for DCM readers to highlight key developments relevant to the region. Original reporting by ESPN India, click this post.

Nov 23, 2025, 01:07 PMOpen Extended Reactions

LAS VEGAS — Lewis Hamilton labelled 2025 his worst season in Formula 1 after he started at the back of the grid to finish in the top 10 at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

While Hamilton finished 10th on track, he was promoted to eighth after McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were disqualified from the race.

Hamilton’s disappointing first season with Ferrari continued in Sin City, where the seven-time world champion qualified last on merit for the first time in his illustrious career.

The British driver was despondent when facing the media.

“Terrible,” was Hamilton’s assessment of his performance to Sky Sports F1. “It’s been the worst season ever. No matter how much I try it keeps getting worse.”

When asked what he was trying to turn things around, he said: “Trying everything, in and out of the car.”

Lewis Hamilton is sixth in the championship with 152 points. His teammate is one place ahead with seven podiums. Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images

Statistically it is one of his worst — he is currently sixth in the championship, although he finished seventh in his final year with Mercedes last season, but did claim two race wins in 2024.

This year looks set to be his third winless season in four years — before that, he had scored at least one victory for 15 straight seasons stretching back to his rookie 2007 campaign.

DriverTeamTimes1 – Max Verstappen*Red Bull1:33.3652 – Lando Norris**McLaren+20.7413 – George RussellMercedes+23.5464 – Oscar Piastri**McLaren+27.6505 – Kimi AntonelliMercedes+30.4886 – Charles LeclercFerrari+30.6787 – Carlos SainzWilliams+34.9248 – Isack HadjarRacing Bulls+45.2579 – Nico HulkenbergSauber+51.13410 – Lewis HamiltonFerrari+59.369*Fastest lap
**Disqualified – remaining drivers gain positions

Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was the talking point of 2025’s pre-season but the hype quickly fizzled out as driver and team failed to compete up front.

Hamilton claimed sprint pole and sprint victory in China at the start of the year but has not scored a pole position or been on the podium at a grand prix this year.

Speaking to the written media shortly afterwards his TV interview, but before the confirmation over the McLaren disqualification, the 40-year-old was asked if he can take any satisfaction from scoring a point.

“Zero,” he replied. “I made up 10 places but it doesn’t mean anything. It is still a bad weekend.”

Hamilton is 74 points behind teammate Charles Leclerc. Ferrari have slipped to fourth in the constructors’ standings and when asked if the Italian team can clear Mercedes and Red Bull to rescue a runner-up spot in the team championship, a dejected Hamilton said: “I don’t know how many points we have. But at this rate, with my performance, we don’t [have a chance].

“I have had 22 bad weekends [this season] so I anticipate another couple,” he added.

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Prior to Las Vegas, Hamilton said his first season in red had been a “nightmare” after he qualified 12th in Brazil and then retired from the race following an opening-lap collision with Franco Colapinto.

He memorably labelled himself “useless” after the Hungarian Grand Prix mid-way through the year and suggested Ferrari