Hamilton Calls Vegas Comeback 'Meaningless' in 'Worst Season Ever'

Lewis Hamilton has labeled his performance in Las Vegas and the broader 2025 F1 season as 'terrible' and the 'worst ever,' despite salvaging a point in the recent race. Starting from the back row, he made up ground but found no satisfaction in finishing tenth, emphasizing ongoing struggles with his car's balance and reliability.

Why it matters:

Hamilton's unusually candid and strong remarks underscore the immense pressure and frustration a seven-time world champion faces when consistently underperforming. His struggle not only impacts his individual morale but also directly affects Ferrari's tight battle for second in the constructors' standings, highlighting the critical need for a performance turnaround for both driver and team.

The details:

• Vegas Disappointment: Hamilton started from the back row in Las Vegas after a poor qualifying session and, despite making up several places on the opening lap due to incidents ahead, finished a 'meaningless' tenth.
• Season-Long Struggles: He has repeatedly called 2025 his 'worst season ever,' expressing zero satisfaction even from scoring points and stating he feels 'terrible.'
• Performance Gap: Hamilton has been consistently outperformed by his teammate Charles Leclerc, sitting 73 points behind him in the standings and remaining without a Grand Prix podium this year.
• Car Issues: He cited ongoing struggles with the car's balance and brakes, describing a lack of 'middle ground' between locking the front and rear. He also suspects damage from contact with Alexander Albon's Williams exacerbated these issues.
• Constructor Implications: Hamilton was blunt about Ferrari's prospects in the constructors' championship, stating, 'At this rate, with my performance, we're done,' indicating a lack of confidence in their ability to secure second place.

Between the lines:

While many drivers might find solace in a points finish from the back of the grid, Hamilton's complete dismissal of the result as 'meaningless' speaks volumes about his championship-winning mentality. For a driver accustomed to fighting for victories and titles, merely scraping into the points is not just unsatisfying but deeply frustrating. His comments suggest a profound disconnect with the car's behavior and a growing weariness from a season where efforts seemingly yield diminishing returns.

What's next:

With the season nearing its end, attention will turn to whether Hamilton can find any semblance of form in the remaining races or if the off-season will genuinely offer the 'fresh start' he desperately needs. His long-time colleague Jenson Button noted this is the first time he's seen Hamilton 'seriously deflated,' but also backed him to rebound. Ferrari's ability to address the car's underlying issues will be crucial, not just for Hamilton's performance but for their overall standing against rivals in the constructors' battle heading into the next season.