Abu Dhabi GP 2025: Hamilton exhausted by the SF-25 says “I wish I didn’t have to do it…”
Lewis Hamilton managed to climb from sixteenth on the grid to eighth place in the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but the seven-time Formula 1 World Champion reached the chequered flag completely drained by the SF-25. After the race he admitted: “I wish I didn’t have to do it…”
At last, there was a small glimmer of positivity for the British driver, who pushed his Ferrari as hard as he possibly could to recover to eighth after starting only sixteenth. These were Hamilton’s comments as he closed out his first season in red, reflecting on the Abu Dhabi test still to come and sharing his thoughts heading into the winter break before the 2026 rules revolution.
Unfortunately, the end of the Abu Dhabi weekend also brought another unwanted milestone for Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari. For the first time since his debut in 2007, the Briton finished a full season without a single podium. Expectations for Ferrari’s performance had been very different, and the situation certainly made his already challenging adaptation even more difficult. As he has repeated more than once, the British driver has never liked ground-effect cars. Now all eyes turn to 2026, but his late-race charge in Abu Dhabi still showed that the #44 hasn’t lost the desire to fight. Here is what he told the media after the race.
Hamilton: “I still have to drive this Ferrari”
“I still have to drive this Ferrari on Tuesday. I wish I didn’t have to do it,” Lewis Hamilton said, referring to the Pirelli tyre test scheduled to gather extra data for the 2026 compounds. Ferrari’s post-race testing programme has already been outlined, but it marks the end of a season that took a heavy toll on the British driver, who has clearly had enough of the SF-25. Naturally, he had hoped for very different results, but his motivation has remained intact despite the many setbacks.
Lewis Hamilton continued: “I’ve received incredible support from so many people who travel around the world, support me or send me messages. My fans have been what pushed me forward, they’ve really been my rock. My mum has been phenomenal and supported me, as did my dad and my family. I’d say I’ve been lucky to have good people around me and then, as I said, every weekend I see kids and adults supporting me, reminding me why I do what I do and to never give up.” – he pointed out.
Now Lewis Hamilton is eager to switch off completely before the 2026 season begins. “Right now I can’t wait for the break. I just want to disconnect. Not speak to anyone. No one will be able to contact me this winter. I won’t take my phone with me. I can’t wait. I want to switch off completely. Normally I take it everywhere with me, but this time I’ll put it in the bin. I need lots of hugs from my nephews and lots of sleep this winter.” Once he’s recharged, the seven-time World Champion will return to Maranello to continue work on the 2026 car, where he has already provided important input. Ferrari fans will be hoping the new year finally brings the joy they have been waiting for.
Before leaving the paddock, Lewis Hamilton also shared a message for newly crowned Formula 1 World Champion Lando Norris: “I’m really, really happy for him. Winning your first World Championship is truly special, and the United Kingdom continues to produce great drivers. I know what it feels like when you arrive at this race fighting for your first title — it’s nerve-wracking, and yes, I’m really proud of him.” – the British driver concluded.
Eighth place, no podiums, one sprint win. Not the Ferrari chapter anyone dreamed of. But the fight goes on – and 2026 can’t come soon enough for Sir Lewis either.
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