Lewis Hamilton‘s Ferrari Dream Turns Sour: what’s Left to Salvage This Season?
Lewis Hamilton’s highly anticipated move to Ferrari has faced a challenging first season, falling short of teh championship aspirations that fueled the transition.While a complete turnaround isn’t possible in the remaining races, understanding the hurdles and looking towards future opportunities remains crucial.
Early setbacks this season highlighted the difficulties. in mexico, Hamilton qualified third but received a penalty after failing to yield position to Max Verstappen during a battle for third, ultimately costing him a potential first podium finish with Ferrari, as detailed in The Athletic. The incident followed frustration over a lack of penalties issued for corner-cutting by othre drivers.
Beyond on-track incidents, Hamilton’s integration into the Ferrari system has been a process. He proactively engaged with the team at maranello, even reportedly catching a cold from extensive handshaking, and utilized the team’s test track for initial runs. Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur acknowledged the ongoing adjustment, stating in an October interview with The Athletic: “He’s improving in the composition of the team…The team is improving in the composition of Lewis. So we have to make a kind of ’mayonnaise’ now! We need to improve step by step.”
The current car’s performance has significantly limited Hamilton’s ability to contend for wins or consistent podiums. While a podium in the final three races – mirroring his charge from 10th to second in Las Vegas last year - would be a positive result, it wouldn’t fully address the season’s difficulties.
Hope for a significant shift in performance lies with the 2026 regulation overhaul. The FIA will introduce new car design rules, offering all teams a fresh start. Hamilton has demonstrably struggled more with the current generation of F1 cars, introduced in 2022, which rely on ground effect aerodynamics.
Despite the challenges, Hamilton remains committed to Ferrari, dismissing questions about his future with the team in Brazil, citing his long-term contract. At 40, he continues to dedicate himself to maximizing both his own performance and the team’s potential.
Ultimately, this challenging first year will be an integral part of the Hamilton-Ferrari narrative. Should the team experience improved results in 2026, the difficulties of this season can be framed as necessary growing pains, better experienced during a period where championship contention wasn’t within reach. For Hamilton to fully achieve his ambitions in Ferrari red, that future uplift is now paramount.
