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Hamilton labels 2025 'worst season ever' after Las Vegas setback
Lewis Hamilton described his debut year with Ferrari as his "worst season ever" in Formula 1, following a dismal performance at the Las Vegas Grand Prix where he qualified last for the first time in his 19-year career on pure pace.
The seven-time world champion, who started 20th on the grid, fought his way into the points but finished 10th before being promoted to eighth after Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri's McLarens were disqualified for a technical breach. His frustration was palpable post-race, telling BBC Radio 5 Live, "It's a terrible result. There is nothing positive to take from today."
When asked if he was dreading the next race in Qatar, Hamilton clarified: "Next season." His comments underscore a year marred by inconsistency, with the 40-year-old yet to secure a race podium for Ferrari-though he did win the sprint event in China in March.
Ferrari chief urges calm amid Hamilton's outburst
Team principal Frederic Vasseur acknowledged Hamilton's frustration but cautioned against overreacting to remarks made "in the heat of the moment." Speaking after the race, Vasseur said, "Let's calm down. To jump out of the car and make the first comment, it's always a bit too much. We'll discuss it after the debrief."
Vasseur conceded the past two weekends had been "tough" for Hamilton but pointed to strong practice sessions (FP1 and FP2) as evidence of underlying potential. "Starting from P20 is never ideal," he added, "but we'll focus on the final two races-we can still turn things around."
Struggles compounded by wet qualifying
Hamilton's Las Vegas woes began in Friday's rain-soaked qualifying, where he lacked pace on extreme wet tires. His difficulties follow a retirement at the São Paulo Grand Prix two weeks prior, which he called a "nightmare." In Vegas, he told Sky Sports, "I feel terrible. No matter how much I try, it keeps getting worse."
The Briton now sits sixth in the drivers' standings, 73 points adrift of Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc in fifth. Without a top-three finish in the remaining two races, 2025 will mark Hamilton's first podium-less F1 season-a stark contrast to his storied career.
What's next
The final two rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi offer Hamilton a slim chance to salvage his season. Ferrari's focus, per Vasseur, is to "build up the weekend" as they did in practice, though time is running out to reverse a year of underperformance.
