At the Qatar Grand Prix, Ferrari arrives confident, but Lewis Hamilton seems less so. Frederic Vasseur’s message to the F1 world remains clear: the environment at Maranello is calm, and the team is united in pursuing its objectives during the final two rounds of the season. However, on a track like Lusail, which does not particularly favor Ferrari, the question is not whether Lewis is motivated — but what kind of motivation he can bring.
Ferrari: the challenge of motivation for Hamilton
It is clear that the British driver is eager to put behind him the worst car of his F1 career. It may seem harsh to speak this way about an Italian car, but facts are facts. Lewis Hamilton repeatedly emphasizes that much of his effort has felt wasted. Sometimes the results were slightly better than others, but consistently, it was still too little. In such conditions, expecting exuberance from Lewis Hamilton is unrealistic. Every time he drives the SF-25, he must work extraordinarily hard.
As highlighted in recent analyses, the seven-time world champion requires several factors to perform at his best — one of the most critical being the car’s competitiveness. In 2025, the SF-25 has disappointed him deeply. His occasional moments of frustration on camera testify to the difficulties he has faced throughout a season well below expectations. As a result, he struggles to give his all when the target itself is far below the standards he has known during his long F1 career. What does he expect from Qatar? Surely, to drive a car that lacks the pace to fight for victory.
Hamilton avoids comparing himself to Leclerc
For the penultimate round of the season, the F1 Circus lands in Doha. Lusail demands a lot from tires and aerodynamic setups, with long flowing corners that do not suit the SF-25’s characteristics. On top of this, the rearward weight distribution of the car exacerbates the lack of rotation inherent to the Modena-built car.
The British driver is notably reserved during Thursday’s usual press conference, speaking quietly and appearing somewhat uncomfortable in front of the cameras. Asked how he evaluates his first year with Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton chooses to avoid a direct judgment, instead focusing on the upcoming race weekend: I cannot judge it, I think the SF-25 could be decent at Lusail.
He adds that comparing his work to Charles Leclerc’s is not particularly meaningful, given that he was a rookie with Ferrari while Charles already had six seasons of experience with the Italian team. And on this point, it is hard to disagree — especially considering the cars Lewis Hamilton had at his disposal when he joined Ferrari after 11 years at Mercedes.
He also notes that while he hopes for a positive weekend, matching Max Verstappen’s Red Bull pace will be extremely challenging. McLaren is not even mentioned, as it is clear there is no realistic hope to challenge the two MCL39s. I think it will be very difficult to have the pace to challenge Red Bull. I still hope for a good weekend.
Hamilton on the team’s future
Lewis Hamilton then reflects on the broader issues of the season, trying to highlight positives from an otherwise difficult campaign: We have suffered through a very challenging championship, but I try to take the good from the situation. In Nevada, I experienced significant frustration, but I look ahead, excited to see the team’s work for the future and to grow together with the group.
Finally, he comments on Andrea Kimi Antonelli, his replacement at Mercedes. Despite Kimi Antonelli’s strong recent form, he has faced moments of self-doubt. I haven’t had the chance to work with Kimi, but I enjoy seeing his professional and personal growth. Our relationship is really great.
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