Lewis Hamilton suffered yet another points-free weekend at the 2025 Brazilian Grand Prix, marking the fourth time he failed to score for Ferrari this season. The Interlagos event turned into a nightmare for the seven-time world champion, highlighting Ferrari’s ongoing struggles with pace and consistency on demanding circuits.
Ferrari’s struggles at Interlagos
The weekend began poorly for Hamilton as Ferrari’s SF-25 demonstrated a clear lack of speed compared to rivals. While teammate Charles Leclerc managed to put his car in the top positions, Lewis Hamilton battled throughout, unable to match the pace or extract performance from his machine. The 40-year-old driver was eliminated in SQ2, finishing seventh in the Sprint race, and he once again failed to progress to Q3 during Sunday’s qualifying session, starting the Grand Prix from 13th on the grid. Meanwhile, Leclerc secured a podium position, lining up third for the race.
Chaos at the start and race-ending damage
Hamilton’s race deteriorated immediately after the start when contact with Carlos Sainz dropped him to last place. The situation worsened on the first lap of the race when he collided with Franco Colapinto, resulting in his front wing becoming lodged under the car and causing significant floor damage. With compromised downforce and concerns over possible suspension damage, Lewis Hamilton had little chance of recovery. He ultimately retired on lap 40. To compound his misfortune, the stewards issued the Briton a five-second penalty for the collision with Franco Colapinto.
Jolyon Palmer urges Hamilton to reset
F1 analyst and former driver Jolyon Palmer described Hamilton’s Brazilian GP as “miserable” and suggested that the Briton needs a complete mental and physical reset ahead of the final races. The former Formula 1 driver explained that Hamilton’s radio messages under the safety car indicated a lack of confidence in the car’s handling. According to Jolyon Palmer, when the Briton returned to racing speed, it became evident that he was struggling to maintain control, particularly through fast corners like Ferradura, making the race an uphill battle from the start.
Palmer also emphasized that the early contact at turn one with Carlos Sainz, combined with the subsequent collision with Franco Colapinto, contributed to Hamilton’s disastrous result. He noted that the seven-time Formula 1 world champion had already qualified poorly, leaving him at a disadvantage before the race even began. Jolyon Palmer concluded that Lewis Hamilton needs to mentally reset, citing his strong performance in Las Vegas the previous year as proof that he can recover when focused and confident.
Implications for Ferrari in the constructors’ championship
With just three races remaining in the 2025 season, Ferrari are still competing for second place in the Constructors’ Championship. However, the pointless result in Sao Paulo allowed Red Bull to overtake them for third, leaving Ferrari with an uphill battle. Mercedes currently trail Ferrari by 36 points heading into the Las Vegas GP, and the remaining races will be crucial for determining the final standings.
Looking ahead to 2026
As Ferrari prepare for the 2026 season and the new technical regulations, Lewis Hamilton is hoping for substantial improvements in car performance and overall competitiveness. The upcoming regulatory changes could shake up the Formula 1 hierarchy, offering the Briton a potential final opportunity to claim his eighth world championship. Despite the frustrations of 2025, Lewis Hamilton has expressed optimism about Ferrari’s engine development, describing the work as “pretty impressive.” The challenge for the Scuderia will be turning technical promise into consistent results on the track.
For Ferrari fans, the focus is on finishing the 2025 season strongly and preparing for a revitalized campaign in 2026, where Hamilton and Leclerc will aim to maximize the team’s potential and challenge for race wins under the new regulations.
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