Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari 'Nightmare' Extends to 2026 Season

Lewis Hamilton has expressed deep pessimism about the 2026 F1 season, indicating his current struggles with Mercedes are impacting his outlook on his future move to Ferrari. Following a disappointing Las Vegas Grand Prix, where he finished significantly off the pace, the seven-time champion stated he's "not looking forward" to next season, extending his previous "nightmare" comments about his current performance.

Why it matters:

Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari in 2025 is one of the most anticipated transfers in recent F1 history. His current frustration, now explicitly linked to the upcoming regulatory changes in 2026, signals a potentially difficult transition if the new car philosophy doesn't suit his driving style. This could impact Ferrari's championship aspirations even before he arrives.

The Details:

• Vegas Struggles: Hamilton qualified slowest on pure pace for the first time in his F1 career in Las Vegas. Despite some early progress due to Turn 1 chaos, he finished 10th on track, later promoted to eighth after McLaren disqualifications.
• Podium Drought: With only two races left in the season (Qatar and Abu Dhabi), Hamilton faces the real possibility of not securing a single podium finish for the first time in his F1 career, highlighting his ongoing performance challenges.
• Driving Style Mismatch: Hamilton's aggressive 'V-shaped' cornering style clashes with the current ground-effect cars, which favor a 'U-shaped' rolling approach. This fundamental mismatch is a key factor in his struggles.
• 2026 Regulations: The 2026 season will introduce massive car overhauls, with very few current characteristics expected to carry over from 2025. This radical change is meant to reset the competitive order, but Hamilton's comments suggest he isn't optimistic about it benefiting him.
• Post-Race Comments: After finishing 59.369s behind Max Verstappen in Las Vegas, Hamilton told BBC Radio 5 Live, "It's a terrible result. There is nothing positive to take from today. I'm eager for it to end. I'm looking forward to it ending. I'm not looking forward to the next one." When asked if he meant the next race, he clarified, "Next season."
• Commitment to Ferrari: Despite his frustrations, Hamilton shook his head and replied 'No, no' when asked by RacingNews365 if he intended to quit at the end of the current season and not take up the second year of his Ferrari contract, reaffirming his commitment.

The Big Picture:

Hamilton's remarks underscore the significant challenge he faces in adapting to current F1 car philosophies and the uncertainty surrounding the radical 2026 regulations. His public despondency, even with a high-profile move to Ferrari on the horizon, suggests a deeper struggle with the sport's direction and his ability to influence it from within the cockpit.

What's next:

Hamilton has two remaining races to avoid his first-ever podium-less season. His focus will undoubtedly be on finishing strong and working with Mercedes to understand how the 2026 regulations might impact his performance, even as his future lies with Ferrari. Resolving the fundamental mismatch between his driving style and car demands will be crucial for his success in his new team.