GP Abu Dhabi, Ferrari: Hamilton grateful to no longer drive the SF-25
The Friday practice sessions at the Abu Dhabi GP marked another challenging chapter in Lewis Hamilton’s first season with Ferrari. The seven-time world champion ended the day in 14th position, extending a string of difficult results that looks set to continue until the checkered flag on Sunday. A bitter conclusion to a season that began with high expectations but has been dominated by technical struggles and never fully positive feelings.
Hamilton: “I’m still hoping for the car’s potential”
Lewis skipped FP1 to hand the wheel to Arthur Leclerc, giving the young Monegasque valuable track time and the chance to share the circuit with his brother Charles. FP2 was not easy: the SF-25 showed its usual grip issues, with unstable behavior in slow corners that compounded Lewis Hamilton’s struggles, forcing him to chase pace from the very first flying lap.
Time analysis highlights the technical picture of the day. Lewis Hamilton lost one to two tenths up to the middle sector compared to Lando Norris’ best benchmark, but it was the final section of the track, full of slow corners and delicate braking points, that turned into a nightmare. There, the deficit fluctuated between seven tenths and a full second, with the car sliding visibly, almost as if competing in an improbable “Gulf Rally.”
After the session, Lewis Hamilton reflected on his Friday: “I’m still hoping this car has potential. I turn to the guys saying we have some issues: these are my issues, help me fix them. What can we do to improve our driving? We suffer from bouncing, then understeer. If we can solve these problems for the third session, I think we could be in a slightly better position. In the first and second sectors I was fairly quick, but in the third I was losing about seven tenths. If I can fix this problem tomorrow, I think we can do better.” – the British driver pointed out.
Hamilton finally moves past the SF-25
The Briton maintained a constructive tone, acknowledging the impact of missing FP1 and praising Arthur Leclerc’s work: “No, I feel good. Of course, Arthur did a good job this morning. It’s always nice to see young drivers emerge and give their best. Ultimately, this makes it a bit challenging for the one skipping the session. I did my best to get back into the rhythm, but I had to manage a rather difficult balance. It’s something we need to improve.”
Lewis Hamilton’s season at Ferrari has not met expectations, neither his own nor the team’s. The SF-25 has never been a real threat to McLaren or Red Bull, and the Englishman has struggled more than expected to adapt to a team very different from Mercedes. All seven Ferrari podiums were achieved by Charles Leclerc, while Hamilton’s only standout moment remains his sprint victory in Shanghai, achieved under unusual conditions.
When asked how he felt after his last Friday with the SF-25, Lewis Hamilton simply replied: “Grateful.” A word that sums up how challenging this year in red has been for him.
Come Monday the page finally turns. Ferrari can fully focus on the all-new 2026 regulations, and Lewis Hamilton can close the book on the toughest chapter of his extraordinary Formula 1 story – hopefully with at least one dignified result under the Yas Marina lights on Sunday night.
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