Hamilton Battles 'Unbearable Anger' Amidst Continued Ferrari Struggles
Lewis Hamilton expressed "unbearable anger and rage" after a dismal Abu Dhabi GP weekend saw him crash and exit Q1, marking his fourth consecutive early qualifying elimination. This season is his first in 18 years without a podium, raising serious questions about his form and Ferrari's struggles. Former team-mates and experts suggest the situation is "scary," highlighting the urgent need for a turnaround for both driver and team.
Lewis Hamilton has expressed an "unbearable amount of anger and rage" as his challenging first season with Ferrari continued to unravel during the final race weekend in Abu Dhabi. A dismal campaign hit a new low after a crash in final practice led to a Q1 exit, marking his fourth consecutive early qualifying elimination.
Why it matters:
Hamilton's struggles highlight a critical period for both the driver and Ferrari. With his worst season in 18 years, failing to secure a podium, questions are mounting about his performance and the team's ability to provide a competitive car. This downturn could significantly impact Hamilton's legacy and Ferrari's long-term strategy as they look ahead to future seasons.
The details:
- Hamilton crashed in final practice and was eliminated in Q1, leading to a 16th-place start for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
- This marks his fourth consecutive Q1/SQ1 exit, following similar struggles in Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi.
- He described his feelings as an "unbearable amount of anger and rage" to Sky Italy.
- Hamilton attributed his Q1 exit in Abu Dhabi partially to "bottoming" and losing the rear of the car, though he noted the car felt good otherwise.
- Season-long struggles: This season marks the first time in Hamilton's 18-year F1 career that he will finish without a podium.
- Team-mate comparison: Hamilton has out-qualified Charles Leclerc only three times this year, with Leclerc securing seven podiums.
Between the lines:
Former Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg described Hamilton's situation as "scary," suggesting that the team might start losing faith. Experts like Bernie Collins note that the expected improvements from Hamilton aren't materializing, casting a shadow over what was once hoped to be a "dream team" partnership with Ferrari. The repeated qualifying setbacks, where small lap time differences decide progression, underscore the intense pressure and the need for Hamilton to extract maximum performance from the car.
What's next:
The conclusion of this challenging season will likely prompt deep reflection within Ferrari and for Hamilton. While his contract reportedly extends beyond 2026, the immediate focus will be on understanding and rectifying the performance and reliability issues that have plagued him. The off-season will be crucial for Ferrari to regroup and for Hamilton to reassess his approach to return to competitive form in the next season.