Lewis Hamilton Still Waiting for First Ferrari Podium Amid Challenging 2025 F1 Season
Lewis Hamilton’s pursuit of a first podium with Ferrari continues as the seven-time Formula 1 champion finished fourth at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, marking another frustrating weekend for the British driver. Hamilton’s 2025 season has been defined by challenges, and his result in Texas underscores the struggles Ferrari faces in extracting maximum performance from the SF-25.
The 40-year-old has now gone 19 consecutive races without standing on the podium this year, setting a new record for a Ferrari driver in the modern era. Both Lewis Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc have been unable to consistently compete for wins, leaving Ferrari without a victory in 2025. During the Sprint, the pair qualified P8 and P10, but benefited from retirements including Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, and Nico Hulkenberg, ultimately finishing fourth and fifth. On Sunday, Leclerc achieved a podium after qualifying third, while Lewis Hamilton secured fourth, narrowly missing out on a higher finish.
Former IndyCar star Danica Patrick expressed concerns that Lewis Hamilton appears “defeated” at Ferrari and hinted that the Brit might be looking forward to the end of a difficult season. The 2025 campaign has been plagued by underperforming updates, aerodynamic issues, and persistent ride height problems, which have hampered the Briton’s ability to extract consistent pace from the car.
During the U.S. Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton radioed to the team that he had “nothing” left, summarizing the frustration of a weekend that offered small encouragement but ultimately fell short of his ambitions. While the result represents a slight positive for Ferrari considering the competitive disadvantage they have faced against Red Bull, Mercedes, and McLaren, it highlights that Lewis Hamilton is still searching for meaningful success with his new team.
Damon Hill urges Ferrari to provide Hamilton with a ‘smell of victory’
Formula 1 legend Damon Hill offered insights on Hamilton’s situation via the Chequered Flag podcast. The 1996 World Champion suggested that Ferrari must find ways to motivate Lewis Hamilton by giving him glimpses of victory to sustain his drive and ambition. Hill emphasized that despite Lewis Hamilton’s immense talent and experience, a seven-time world champion still requires hope and momentum to stay motivated throughout the season.
Hill pointed out that Lewis Hamilton has shown flashes of pace, sometimes running close to or faster than Charles Leclerc, but maintaining motivation is critical. Hill explained that the seven-time Formula 1 world champion early success in China now feels distant, and to remain competitive, Ferrari must provide him with achievable goals and competitive car performance to reignite his fighting spirit.
According to Damon Hill, providing Lewis Hamilton with a sense of progress can create positive momentum within the team. He noted that while Ferrari has experienced a mixture of ups and downs in 2025, incremental progress can build confidence and motivation for the Briton, particularly as the team prepares for the final rounds of the season in Mexico and beyond.
Can Hamilton achieve a victory with Ferrari in 2025?
Ferrari’s performance at COTA offered signs of progress, with Charles Leclerc’s podium confirming that the team has regained some competitiveness. However, Lewis Hamilton’s challenges continued as he reported a puncture on his front right tyre during the final lap, marking the second consecutive race with significant issues on the last lap—following brake problems in Singapore.
Despite these setbacks, Lewis Hamilton’s potential to compete remains evident, though securing a victory in 2025 is increasingly unlikely due to the pace of rivals such as Max Verstappen’s Red Bull, McLaren, and Mercedes. Ferrari continues to trail their competitors, leaving hopes for a competitive return largely pinned on the 2026 technical regulations.
Charles Leclerc has already reported promising feedback from Ferrari’s 2026 car in the simulator, which could provide encouragement for Lewis Hamilton heading into the new season. With retirement looming in the coming years, Hamilton will be relying on Ferrari to deliver a strong package under the upcoming rules if he hopes to add further victories and podiums to his illustrious career.
While the 2025 season has been challenging for both Lewis Hamilton and the Maranello team, the lessons learned and incremental improvements may pave the way for a more competitive campaign in 2026, offering the Briton renewed motivation and the possibility of future success in the Scuderia’s iconic red.
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