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Hamilton Calls Season 'Terrible' After Las Vegas Setback as Ferrari Struggles

Lewis Hamilton called this year "the worst season" of his career after recovering to eighth at the Las Vegas Grand Prix following a troubled weekend. He climbed from near the back of the grid and briefly ran as high as fifth, but was only promoted after two rivals were disqualified. Ferrari has slipped in the standings and faces criticism from chairman John Elkann as Hamilton — a seven-time champion with 105 wins — searches for answers with two races left in the season.

11:28 PM, 11/23/2025Culture

Lewis Hamilton described his season as "terrible" after a frustrated showing at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, where he finished eighth following post-race disqualifications of two rivals. The seven-time champion rallied from the back of the grid and climbed as high as fifth during the 50-lap race, but the result did little to ease mounting concerns about his first year with Ferrari.

Hamilton actually crossed the line in 10th but was promoted to eighth when Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were disqualified. The night had started badly after a poor qualifying session left Hamilton at the back; he was credited with 19th on the grid after Yuki Tsunoda received a penalty for unauthorized car changes.

“I feel terrible. Terrible. It’s been the worst season for me ever. No matter how much I try, it just keeps getting worse,” Hamilton said after the race.

Ferrari’s struggles this year have intensified scrutiny of both car and driver. The team slipped from second to fourth in the constructors' standings following a double non-finish in Brazil, and chairman John Elkann publicly urged the drivers to focus on performance.

“It’s important that our drivers focus on driving and talk less,” Elkann said.

Hamilton’s move from Mercedes to Ferrari was meant to reset his championship ambitions, but so far it has not produced the hoped-for turnaround. At 40, Hamilton remains one of the sport’s most successful drivers — with seven world titles, 105 wins and 202 podiums — yet this season he has not reached the podium, taken a pole position, or won a race.

Many point to the controversial end to the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as a turning point in momentum; Mercedes and Hamilton protested the result without success. Since then Hamilton’s consistency has dipped: he failed to win in 2022 and 2023, managed two victories last year, and then left Mercedes in search of a fresh start.

With two races remaining after Las Vegas — Qatar and the season finale in the United Arab Emirates — Hamilton said he is pushing every angle to rediscover form.

“I’m trying everything. Everything. In and out of the car,” he said.

Even a determined recovery drive in Las Vegas could not mask a season of unfulfilled expectations for Hamilton and Ferrari. As the championship heads into its final rounds, the pressure on both driver and team to produce results is only going to grow.

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