Lewis Hamilton faced another tough session at the Qatar Grand Prix, failing to progress beyond Q1 in the Sprint qualifying and leaving him with little to celebrate aside from the warm Lusail weather. After a challenging start to the weekend, the seven-time world champion admitted that conditions were “the same as always,” highlighting a series of underwhelming performances that have left fans and the Ferrari team concerned.
The British driver has struggled to reach Q3 in his last four attempts, including sessions in Mexico, Las Vegas, and previous races. Heading into Qatar, Lewis Hamilton had accumulated just 10 points across the last three weekends—a sequence considered one of the most difficult stretches of his Formula 1 career. These results contrast sharply with the strong form he showed earlier in the season, raising questions about his adaptation to the Ferrari SF-25.
Ferrari’s concerns over Lewis Hamilton’s recent form
Earlier in the season, Lewis Hamilton had shown glimpses of promise in the Ferrari, posting top-six finishes in Italy and the United States, and securing his best qualifying position of the year in Mexico with a P3 start. He had also been closing the gap to teammate Charles Leclerc, particularly over single-lap pace, suggesting a potential improvement in his adaptation to the car. However, his recent performances indicate a troubling regression as the season enters its final stages.
According to Motorsport Italy, there are now legitimate questions about Lewis Hamilton’s future with Ferrari. While his contract extends through 2027, there are believed to be exit clauses in place for 2026. The seven-time world champion is reportedly “anxiously” awaiting the end of the season to begin a crucial reset phase, which could involve recalibrating his approach and mindset ahead of the next year’s regulation changes. If the rules were to remain unchanged, Hamilton might have considered leaving Ferrari earlier than planned.
The report also notes a level of concern within the Ferrari garage. Although the team acknowledges that the SF-25 itself has significant limitations, the gap in performance between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc is increasingly scrutinized. The disparity has prompted discussions about whether Hamilton can regain competitive pace before the season concludes.
Charles Leclerc continues to outperform Hamilton
In Qatar Sprint qualifying, Charles Leclerc secured P9, demonstrating that the Ferrari can still deliver competitive results under certain conditions. Nevertheless, he was still approximately four-tenths of a second faster than Lewis Hamilton in SQ1. Over the last four sessions where both drivers were classified, Charles Leclerc has out-qualified Hamilton by a combined total of 33 positions, underscoring the widening performance gap between Ferrari’s lead drivers.
Even Red Bull star Max Verstappen has weighed in, suggesting that age might be a limiting factor for Lewis Hamilton, now 40, whereas Charles Leclerc continues to improve. However, age alone does not fully explain Hamilton’s struggles. Other veteran drivers, such as 44-year-old Fernando Alonso, continue to perform at a high level, with Alonso securing P4 for the Qatar Sprint and proving that experience can coexist with pace on the modern Formula 1 grid.
Looking ahead
As the season approaches its conclusion, Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari will need to address both driver adaptation and car performance to remain competitive. With only a few races left, any improvements in pace, setup, or strategic execution could be decisive for both the British driver and the Scuderia. Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc continues to demonstrate that the SF-25 still has potential, keeping the spotlight on the contrast between Ferrari’s two drivers as the championship heads into its final stages.
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