Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari was met with enormous anticipation. At 40 years old, he was widely expected to deliver the team’s first drivers’ title since 2008, and his experience was seen as the perfect complement to Charles Leclerc’s pace. However, the 2025 season has continued Ferrari’s winless streak in the most literal sense. While Charles Leclerc has secured seven podium finishes, Lewis Hamilton has yet to claim a top-three result with the Scuderia. The hope that a fresh start in Italy would rejuvenate his career after a turbulent final years at Mercedes has yet to materialize.
The difficulties for Lewis Hamilton in 2025 have been multifaceted. Technical issues such as inconsistent ride height, multiple race incidents, and operational errors from the team have all played a part in limiting his results. These struggles even drew public criticism from Ferrari chairman John Elkann, who suggested that the drivers should focus more on racing and less on talking after a disappointing finish in Brazil.
As the season enters its final three rounds, Lewis Hamilton is on course to match Kimi Raikkonen’s record for a Ferrari driver going an entire season without a podium. Additionally, 2025 will mark the third season in Lewis Hamilton’s illustrious career where he has failed to win a race. However, past statements from the Briton suggest that this lack of victories is not a major concern for him.
Hamilton’s mindset on winless seasons
During a 2022 interview with Channel 4 while still at Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton explained his perspective on seasons without wins. He emphasized that he would reflect on his overall achievements and championships at the end of his career, rather than focusing on individual race victories. The seven-time Formula 1 world champion highlighted that he would not dwell on seasons where he didn’t win, instead valuing the experiences, collaborations, and relationships he developed over the years.
Lewis Hamilton conveyed that he was more focused on the journey and the lessons learned than the immediate results. He stressed that in 20 years, he would not be concerned with whether he won a race every season, but would instead reflect on his championships, the talented teammates, engineers, and mentors he worked with, and the values he tried to uphold throughout his career.
Current struggles with the SF-25
Lewis Hamilton has described his time at Ferrari as “living a nightmare,” with the SF-25 failing to deliver the level of performance required to compete consistently at the front. He has repeatedly requested operational and technical changes behind the scenes, though these calls have largely gone unheeded. The ongoing performance issues have left the Briton unable to extract the car’s full potential, further intensifying the pressure on both himself and the team.
With three remaining races in Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi, Ferrari still has a slim opportunity to achieve a race win or secure second place in the Constructors’ Championship. However, the current performance gap makes these goals unlikely, and internal sources suggest the team is already looking ahead to 2026, where Lewis Hamilton’s results will be closely scrutinized.
Looking ahead to 2026 and the future
The 2026 season presents a critical juncture for Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari. As he approaches the end of his current contract, with an option to extend into 2027, time is running out for him to secure his elusive eighth World Championship. The SF-26 will need to be a significantly improved car if Hamilton is to challenge for victories and remain competitive at the top of the grid.
Speculation around Lewis Hamilton’s future has intensified, with rumors suggesting that Ferrari could reconsider his position if he fails to deliver strong results early in the 2026 season. Despite the challenges, Hamilton’s mindset remains focused on the bigger picture: the championships, the teamwork, and the professional journey he has experienced throughout his career. While individual wins in 2025 may have eluded him, Hamilton’s long-term perspective on success suggests that he remains determined to make the most of his time at Ferrari.
In summary, Lewis Hamilton’s first season at Ferrari has been challenging, with technical struggles, operational issues, and mounting pressure limiting his results. Yet, his previous statements indicate that immediate race wins are not his primary concern. Lewis Hamilton appears focused on long-term achievements, team collaboration, and personal growth, underscoring that his legacy extends far beyond a single winless season.
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