Lewis Hamilton faced tough challenge after dismal qualifying at Abu Dhabi as first Ferrari season ends in disappointment

Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton arrived at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix under intense pressure after yet another disappointing qualifying session, marking his eighth time this season outside the top 10. This continues a troubling trend, as the seven-time Formula 1 world champion has now qualified outside the top 15 for three consecutive Grands Prix, a scenario the Briton has not experienced since 2009.

For Lewis Hamilton, this season has been one of the most frustrating of his illustrious career. He has finished outside the points on five occasions and, most notably, has failed to reach a podium position throughout the entire campaign — something unprecedented in his decades-long F1 career. The contrast with teammate Charles Leclerc has been stark, as the Monegasque driver has consistently delivered strong performances and podium finishes, highlighting the growing gap between the two Ferrari drivers.

Adding to the pressure, former world champion Nico Rosberg has warned that if Lewis Hamilton does not improve soon, Italian fans and the Ferrari hierarchy could begin to lose faith in the 40-year-old driver, a type of scrutiny he rarely faced during his long tenure at Mercedes. The ground-effect era of Formula 1 has posed unique challenges, and while hopes remain that the 2026 regulations may better suit Lewis Hamilton’s driving style, the current season has left him with difficult questions about his future in the sport.

Damon Hill raises concerns over Hamilton losing his edge at Ferrari

Damon Hill has publicly expressed concern over Lewis Hamilton’s performances this year, suggesting the driver might have “lost his edge.” Speaking on the Chequered Flag Podcast, Damon Hill reflected on Lewis Hamilton’s third successive Q1 exit and the difficulty of adapting to Ferrari’s car and setup. Hill emphasized that while the Briton is used to extracting maximum performance, the combination of an unfamiliar car and a challenging season may have blunted his typical speed and precision.

DamonHill noted that Charles Leclerc has been working hard to maximize the Ferrari’s potential, highlighting the difficulty the seven-time F1 world champion faces in matching his teammate’s pace. He added that Lewis Hamilton’s struggles to progress beyond Q1 could raise doubts about whether he can still operate at the elite level required to compete for wins and championships.

Hamilton’s dejected demeanor highlights the season’s struggles

Journalist Rosanna Tennant, reporting from the Abu Dhabi media pen, described Lewis Hamilton as visibly dejected, shaking his head at multiple reporters and giving brief, mumbling responses when asked about his qualifying performance. Lewis Hamilton’s body language — arms folded, shaking his head, and avoiding eye contact — reflected the disappointment of a season that failed to meet expectations for both the driver and Ferrari.

After his final qualifying session, Lewis Hamilton could only apologise to the team, acknowledging that his pace simply wasn’t enough. A crash in FP3 earlier in the weekend likely contributed to his elimination by mere thousandths of a second, further underlining the fine margins that have made 2025 such a challenging year for him. Past races, including in Qatar, saw similar struggles, and while overtaking opportunities in Abu Dhabi are limited, the Briton is aiming to at least finish in the top 10 to salvage some positives as he closes out his first year with Ferrari.

Looking ahead to 2026

The first season with Ferrari has been a wake-up call for Lewis Hamilton. The 40-year-old will be hoping that the 2026 F1 regulations and a reworked car will better align with his driving style, giving him the opportunity to compete at the level fans and the team expect. Lewis Hamilton’s resilience and experience will be critical, as he seeks to regain confidence, close the gap to Charles Leclerc, and potentially extend his career at the pinnacle of motorsport.