Lewis Hamilton's highly anticipated debut season with Ferrari has been nothing short of a nightmare, marked by a complete absence of victories and podium finishes. This dispiriting run has made him the first Ferrari driver in 44 years to go winless and without a podium in a season, a stark contrast to the expectations surrounding his move to the iconic Italian team.

The last time Ferrari experienced a similar drought was in 1993. This season's results are particularly painful considering Hamilton's stature as a seven-time world champion and the team's ambition to challenge for both the Driver's and Constructor's Championships.

Throughout the 2025 season, Hamilton struggled to adapt to the SF-25, often being outperformed by teammate Charles Leclerc. His best results were a handful of fourth-place finishes, a far cry from the victories and podiums that defined his illustrious career at McLaren and Mercedes. According to Pitwall, Hamilton entered 23 races in the 2025 season and his best finish was 4th with 18 points finishes and 2 retirements. He finished the season in 6th place with 152 points.

The lack of development on the car after April, with resources shifted towards the 2026 regulations, contributed significantly to Ferrari's weak performance in the latter half of the season. This decision, though shared by the team and drivers, meant that Ferrari was unable to keep pace with rivals like McLaren and Red Bull, who continued to develop their cars.

Hamilton's struggles weren't just limited to race day. He faced multiple Q1 eliminations in qualifying, including a career-worst last-place finish at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. This further compounded his frustration and highlighted the challenges he faced in extracting the maximum from the Ferrari.

The disappointing season has led to introspection and a desire for a complete reset. Hamilton expressed his eagerness to disconnect and "unplug from the matrix" during the winter break, even joking about throwing his phone "in the fricking bin". He is also keen to take a break from the additional responsibilities he has as a driver.

Despite the setbacks, there's a glimmer of hope for Ferrari and Hamilton. The team secured the trophy for the best pit stops of 2025, showcasing the dedication and professionalism of the crew. More importantly, the focus has shifted to 2026, with the new regulations offering a chance for Ferrari to rebuild and return to the front of the grid. Hamilton's technical feedback and winning mindset are seen as valuable assets in this process, providing Ferrari with an "operational manual" to identify priorities and improve efficiency.