Lewis Hamilton's first season with Ferrari has been far from the "childhood dream" he envisioned, marked by struggles and a distinct lack of podium finishes in main races. The seven-time world champion finished the season in eighth place at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Despite the difficulties, Hamilton expressed his unwavering commitment to the team with a heartfelt radio message after the race, stating, "Long season, guys. Grazie a tutti. Your kindness… I'm grateful for all the hard work. I'll always fight for you guys. Always. Grazie". This message underscored his dedication to helping Ferrari return to championship contention.
The 2025 season saw Hamilton finish in his lowest championship position ever, a stark contrast to his previous successes. He failed to secure a single podium in the main races, with his only top-three finishes occurring in Sprint Races in China and Miami. His struggles were evident in qualifying sessions as well, with multiple Q1 exits, including consecutive eliminations in Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi. At the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Hamilton qualified in 16th place and finished in eighth, while Lando Norris, a young British driver, clinched his first world championship title.
Several factors contributed to Hamilton's challenging season. Some analysts suggest that the lack of familiarity with his new team and the absence of his long-time race engineer, Bono, hindered his ability to extract the maximum performance from the car and team. Sky Sports analyst Bernie Collins noted the importance of feeling comfortable with new people to maximize performance, adding, "For now, it seems to me that this harmony is missing — they are not aligned in the same direction".
Hamilton himself has been critical of his performance, at one point describing his first season with Ferrari as a "nightmare". This prompted a public response from Ferrari President John Elkann, who advised him to "focus on driving and talk less". Despite the setbacks, Hamilton has been proactive in seeking solutions, holding meetings with key figures at Ferrari, including Team Principal Fred Vasseur, Elkann, and CEO Benedetto Vigna, to discuss potential improvements. He even compiled documents detailing his suggestions for turning around Ferrari's fortunes.
While Hamilton's on-track performance has been underwhelming, he has expressed support for Ferrari's decision to halt development of the 2025 car early in the season to concentrate on the 2026 car, which will be built under new regulations. He admitted that he anticipated a difficult season, stating, "I didn't know at the end of the year we'd be where we are, no. We anticipated it but it felt worse, naturally. But I was a part of it, I was one pushing for it".
Despite the numerous challenges and criticisms, Hamilton's radio message after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix indicated a growing bond with the Ferrari team. His words conveyed a genuine desire to help the team rebuild and a commitment to fighting alongside them. As the racing world looks ahead to the 2026 season, the partnership between Hamilton and Ferrari remains a focal point, with both sides hoping to find the chemistry and performance needed to achieve success.
