Ferrari, Hamilton’s plan for 2026: a new beginning
Lewis Hamilton’s first Formula 1 season with Ferrari ended with a harsh assessment. No podiums, an eighth-place finish in the final Abu Dhabi race, and a clear gap in the internal team battle with Charles Leclerc, who closed the year with 242 points compared to Hamilton’s 156. For the British driver, this was the worst season of his career. The SF-25, a problematic car from the start that was never truly fixed, made everything even more challenging.
Hamilton: “Nothing more to add on 2025”
The only highlight of the year came in the Sprint in China, but it was quickly forgotten. The disqualification of both Ferraris in the Sunday race, exposing structural issues with the car, turned that brief moment into a blurred memory. From there, the season quickly spiraled. The seven-time world champion endured difficult weekends, culminating in moments of clear frustration, such as in Hungary.
After the summer break, Hamilton seemed ready to get back on track, at least in intention. However, the signs were not confirmed on track. Ferrari never showed solid progress, held back by technical limits that kept them away from the podium fight. The British driver finished multiple races outside the top ten, often penalized by lack of pace and balance issues.
The season finale confirmed this trend, and in Abu Dhabi Lewis Hamilton climbed from 16th on the grid to eighth, without giving the impression of a true turnaround in the final part of the championship. Lewis did not hide the frustration he had accumulated. For the British champion, 2025 marked the lowest point in his 19 years in Formula 1.
The Leclerc comparison
The comparison with Charles Leclerc further highlighted Lewis Hamilton’s struggles. The Monegasque finished on the podium seven times, achieved one pole, and ended the season 86 points ahead of his teammate. The Briton did not want to dwell on the gap: “I’ve already said everything about this season, there’s nothing more to add,” he explained, signaling a desire to close this unfortunate chapter.
Rosberg: “Lewis cannot end like this”
In this context, Nico Rosberg also weighed in, analyzing his former teammate’s situation without filters: “It was a terrible season for him, it’s not a way to end your career,” said the 2016 world champion. According to the German, the 2025 season left “a small scratch” on Lewis Hamilton’s sporting legacy, despite him remaining one of the most successful drivers in history.
Nico Rosberg believes that an immediate retirement would be neither possible nor advisable for the British driver. “He’s stuck: he cannot leave now, it would be a loss of prestige after accepting this challenge,” he added. For the former Mercedes driver, Lewis Hamilton must wait for the 2026 regulation reset, a technical revolution that could finally offer a more favorable environment.
Lewis Hamilton’s reset
The seven-time champion has clearly expressed the need to disconnect: “I won’t speak to anyone this winter, I won’t have my phone with me,” he revealed after Abu Dhabi. The goal is to recharge, as he did after the controversial 2021 finale, when he disappeared from the public eye for weeks. This time, the break will be shorter: 2026 testing begins at the end of January.
Lewis Hamilton will continue his adventure in red, supported by the team and fans: “It’s the love for racing that drives me to return,” he stated, highlighting how passion remains his main engine. The 2026 season will provide a chance to start fresh and erase a difficult year. But if Ferrari does not recover, the possibility of retirement at the end of the season cannot be entirely ruled out.
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