Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari Debut Season Described as a 'Nightmare'
Lewis Hamilton's debut season at Ferrari was a disaster by his legendary standards, with no Sunday podiums and a distant sixth in the championship. He called the year a 'nightmare,' plagued by an uncompetitive car and a difficult adaptation from Mercedes, increasing pressure for a major turnaround in 2026.
Lewis Hamilton's first season with Ferrari was a profound struggle, with the seven-time world champion calling it a "nightmare" after finishing a distant sixth in the standings, 86 points behind teammate Charles Leclerc and failing to score a single Sunday podium for the first time in his career.
Why it matters:
Hamilton's high-profile move to Ferrari was seen as a final chapter to cement his legacy, but the 2025 season instead highlighted the immense challenge of adapting to a new team and an uncompetitive car. For Ferrari, which hasn't won a title since 2008, the high-stakes partnership's rocky start increases pressure to deliver a competitive package under the new 2026 regulations.
The details:
- The season's lone highlight was a sprint race win from pole in Shanghai, which Hamilton felt silenced early critics and showed his initial connection with the SF-25.
- That performance proved an anomaly, as the car suffered from a general lack of pace and inconsistent handling following a backfired suspension change.
- Hamilton faced a dual challenge: adapting his driving style and life after 12 years at Mercedes, while driving a car developed entirely without his input.
- Teammate Charles Leclerc, embedded with Ferrari since 2016, consistently outperformed Hamilton by maximizing the car's limited potential.
- The team's decision to halt all 2025 car development mid-season to focus on 2026 left Hamilton stuck with an uncompetitive midfield package.
- His form collapsed in the second half, featuring a crash at Zandvoort, a failed team order in Baku, and an unprecedented three consecutive Q1 eliminations to end the year.
The big picture:
Hamilton's increasingly downbeat demeanor and terse media interactions reflected his frustration, which reportedly concerned Ferrari chairman John Elkann. The season underscores how even the most successful driver can be rendered vulnerable by a combination of technical shortcomings and the immense difficulty of a late-career team switch. The narrative shifted from a dream union to a test of resilience for both driver and team.
What's next:
All focus now turns to 2026. The new regulatory cycle and a car developed with Hamilton's input offer a clean slate and fresh hope. A settled Hamilton in a competitive Ferrari is the baseline expectation; another season off the pace will inevitably raise serious questions about the future of the sport's most decorated driver.