Lewis Hamilton 'Lost for Words' After Fourth Consecutive Q1 Exit at Abu Dhabi GP

Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, found himself without words to describe his emotions after suffering his fourth consecutive Q1 exit at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. This marks a truly dismal end to his first season with Ferrari, where he is now on track to finish the entire F1 2025 campaign without a single podium.

Why it matters:

Hamilton's struggles highlight a challenging transition to Ferrari, far from the dominant form he displayed at Mercedes. This unprecedented dip in performance, especially in qualifying, raises significant questions about the team's car development and Hamilton's ability to adapt, potentially impacting his morale and future prospects within the Scuderia. For Ferrari, it underscores a season of underperformance despite bringing in a driver of Hamilton's caliber.

The Details:

• Hamilton's Q1 exit at Yas Marina meant he qualified 16th, continuing a concerning pattern of early eliminations.
• This follows a trend that saw him become the first Ferrari driver to qualify last on pure pace since 2009 at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, and two Q1 eliminations in Qatar.
• Preparation Woes: Hamilton's Saturday preparations were hampered by a crash at Turn 9 during the final practice session.
  • He explained, "Definitely doesn't help when you have missed your second run," though he noted the car "was feeling great" before bottoming out and losing the rear.
• Missed Practice: Further impacting his weekend, Hamilton was forced to sit out FP1 on Friday as Ferrari fulfilled rookie requirements, with Charles Leclerc's brother Arthur Leclerc taking his place.
  • Hamilton acknowledged, "It's never helpful when you have less running, for sure, but everyone's in the same boat," downplaying its direct impact on qualifying.
• Ferrari reportedly addressed the car's issues, with Hamilton stating, "No, they just fixed the car. They saw some bouncing going in and they said that carried all the way through."

What's next:

With the shortest winter break ahead and significant regulatory changes for F1 2026, Hamilton faces an uphill battle to reset and regain his competitive edge.

• The F1 2026 regulations will introduce 50% electrification, fully sustainable fuels, and active aerodynamics.
• Initial tests for these new cars are scheduled for late January in Barcelona.
• When asked about an action plan for F1 2026, a visibly disheartened Hamilton replied, "Not at the moment, no. I don't have any plans for the moment," indicating a need for significant introspection during the off-season.
• The upcoming season is crucial for both Hamilton and Ferrari to turn the tide and prove their capability amidst the evolving landscape of Formula 1.