Scuderia Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton faces another uphill battle to score points following a difficult qualifying session at the Qatar Grand Prix. The seven-time world champion has struggled once again, setting the slowest times in Las Vegas earlier in the season and following that up with two consecutive Q1 eliminations in Qatar, further compounding a disappointing 2025 campaign.
Ferrari now appear unlikely to challenge for second place in the constructors’ championship, and Max Verstappen could almost single-handedly extend Red Bull’s lead in the standings, leaving the Scuderia in a potentially embarrassing position. This is particularly striking for a team that came within a single result of winning last year’s championship. Team principal Frédéric Vasseur admitted that Ferrari ceased working on aerodynamic updates in April to focus on preparation for the new 2026 regulations, a decision that has had significant consequences for the team’s competitiveness.
Hamilton’s teammate Charles Leclerc managed to reach Q3, but even he was outqualified by Pierre Gasly’s Alpine and suffered a dramatic spin while pushing the SF-25 to its limits. Ferrari fans, known for their passionate loyalty, largely absolved Hamilton of blame, instead directing frustration at the team’s repeated failure to respond to feedback from both drivers throughout the season.
Fan reactions to Lewis Hamilton’s qualifying struggles were swift and pointed. Following Ferrari’s announcement on X that Hamilton had been eliminated in Q1, social media erupted with criticism aimed at the team rather than the driver. Observers noted that while the car is underperforming, Leclerc continues to manage, suggesting that the issues are more systemic. Many fans highlighted Hamilton’s repeated technical feedback being ignored as a key factor in his lack of confidence. Some argued that Hamilton deserved a competitive car and that the SF-25’s current state made him look far worse than his talent would suggest. Comments ranged from sarcastic remarks likening the car to a “Ferrari tractor” to speculation about internal problems within the team affecting performance.
Hamilton and Leclerc both expressed concerns over the SF-25’s suitability for the Lusail circuit, underlining the broader technical challenges Ferrari are facing. Observers noted that Hamilton’s P18 qualifying result did not reflect the effort the team had put in over the two days, and both drivers indicated that the car remained difficult to drive and ill-suited to the track layout. Karun Chandhok highlighted Hamilton’s onboard footage as evidence of just how challenging the SF-25 had become, while Leclerc’s Q3 spin further demonstrated the car’s instability.
The Maranello team’s lack of progress over the weekend was another point of frustration for fans. Alpine, despite qualifying 19th and 20th for the Sprint Race, used the session effectively as a test run, enabling Pierre Gasly to secure P9 in the race. In contrast, neither Hamilton nor Leclerc were able to extract similar performance improvements, underscoring just how poorly the Ferrari is performing at present. With both drivers struggling to make meaningful gains, the situation highlights a significant gap between Ferrari and its main competitors, leaving the team and fans anxious about the 2026 Formula 1 season.
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