Hamilton Calls Ferrari Stint a 'Nightmare' Amid Brazil DNF

Lewis Hamilton described his time at Ferrari as a "nightmare" after retiring from the Brazilian Grand Prix following a collision with Franco Colapinto. The seven-time World Champion's disappointing weekend culminated in a race-ending incident and a five-second penalty, highlighting his ongoing struggles since joining the Scuderia.

Why it matters:

Lewis Hamilton's frank assessment of his Ferrari tenure as a "nightmare" underscores the significant challenges he's faced since joining the Italian team. This candid admission from a driver of his caliber reflects the high stakes and immense pressure to deliver results, and it raises questions about Ferrari's ability to provide a championship-winning car. His struggle to adapt and the team's inconsistent performance could have long-term implications for both Hamilton's legacy and Ferrari's future competitiveness, especially as he faces the prospect of his worst F1 season in terms of podium finishes.

The details:

• Hamilton retired from the Brazilian Grand Prix after colliding with Franco Colapinto while attempting to recover positions from 17th place. He was handed a five-second penalty for causing the collision.
• He had qualified in a disappointing 13th place, dampening his hopes for the main race despite finishing seventh in the Sprint from 11th on the grid.
• Collision and Retirement: After dropping to 17th at the start due to contact with former Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz, Hamilton broke his front wing in the clash with Colapinto. He eventually retired his SF-25 after serving his penalty, avoiding a grid penalty for the next race in Las Vegas.
• "Nightmare" Comment: Post-race, Hamilton told Sky F1, "I mean this is a nightmare. Been living here for a while. Definitely between the dream of driving for this amazing team and then the nightmare of the results that we’ve had, the ups and downs, it’s challenging."
• Teammate Comparison: Hamilton is currently trailing teammate Charles Leclerc by 66 points with three races remaining, potentially marking his third head-to-head defeat against a teammate in four years. He previously lost to George Russell at Mercedes in 2022 and 2024.
• Podium Drought: Should he fail to secure a podium finish in the remaining races, it would be his first season without a podium since his debut in 2007.

What's next:

Despite the setbacks, Hamilton remains resolute, vowing to bounce back stronger. He expressed continued faith in Ferrari, noting Charles Leclerc's qualifying pace as a positive sign that the car possesses potential. The focus now shifts to the final triple-header of the season—Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi—where Hamilton will aim to salvage his challenging debut year with Ferrari and avoid his first-ever season without a Grand Prix podium. His ability to rally and the team's performance in these crucial races will be closely watched as they both seek to turn this "nightmare" into a more promising future.