Hamilton: 'I Haven't Climbed That Mountain Yet' After First Podium-Less Season
After a difficult, podium-less debut season with Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton remains determined to fight for his goals, insisting he "hasn't climbed that mountain yet" despite being left out of the year's top 10 driver rankings.
Lewis Hamilton is vowing to press on after a challenging first season with Ferrari that saw him miss a Grand Prix podium for the first time in his illustrious career. In a reflective social media post, the seven-time world champion emphasized his relentless drive, stating, "I haven't climbed that mountain yet," and highlighting the many goals he still aims to achieve despite the setbacks.
Why it matters:
Hamilton's move to Ferrari was one of the most significant driver transfers in F1 history, carrying immense expectations of a title challenge. His resilience in the face of a disappointing campaign is a crucial indicator of his mindset heading into 2026, where he'll be expected to lead the Scuderia's charge under new regulations. It also underscores the immense pressure at the top of the sport, where even a driver of Hamilton's caliber can be humbled and face scrutiny, as evidenced by his exclusion from the top 10 driver rankings.
The details:
- The 2025 season marked the first time in Hamilton's career that he failed to finish on the podium in a Grand Prix race, a stark statistic for the most successful driver in F1 history.
- Despite the overall struggles, he did secure Ferrari's first-ever Sprint race victory in Shanghai, a small but significant milestone for the team in his debut year.
- Adding to the sting of the season, Hamilton was notably absent from both the team principals' and fellow drivers' top 10 driver of the year rankings, a clear sign of how his performance was perceived across the paddock.
- In his video, Hamilton focused on the power of "yet," explaining that having unmet goals is what provides the motivation to keep pushing forward, regardless of past success or current struggles.
What's next:
All eyes will be on Hamilton and Ferrari to see if they can bounce back in 2026. The new technical regulations for that season represent a clean slate and a massive opportunity for the team to close the gap to the front-runners. Hamilton's unwavering self-belief will be a key asset as he and the Scuderia work to turn their ambitious partnership into a genuine championship-contending force.