Ferrari Driver Lewis Hamilton admitted P…read more.👇👇
Lewis Hamilton’s debut season with Ferrari concluded on a bitter note as the seven-time world champion once again failed to progress beyond the opening stage of qualifying. The British driver admitted he was overcome with “anger and rage” after being eliminated in Q1 for the third consecutive Grand Prix—a run that extends to four when including last weekend’s sprint qualifying in Qatar. It was a deflating end to what had been a highly anticipated season marked by flashes of promise but ultimately overshadowed by inconsistency.
Ferrari arrived at the final round hoping to close the year with momentum, but Hamilton’s early exit exposed the team’s lingering struggles. His lap lacked the grip and balance needed to compete with the midfield, leaving him only marginally ahead of the backmarkers and well outside the cut-off for Q2. The disappointment was evident the moment he stepped out of the car, with Hamilton offering a candid and emotional reflection on his qualifying woes.
“Anger and rage were the first things I felt,” Hamilton admitted. “It’s incredibly tough to end the season like this. We’ve worked so hard, but the results in qualifying these past few races have been nowhere near where we should be.” His openness underscored the frustration of a driver who arrived at Ferrari with ambitions of challenging for victories but instead found himself battling just to escape the lower half of the grid.
This string of Q1 eliminations marks one of the most challenging periods of Hamilton’s illustrious career. While Ferrari showed pace at several points throughout the season, particularly on race days, their one-lap performance remained a persistent weakness. At times, the team struggled with tyre warm-up and consistency, leaving both Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc vulnerable in short-format sessions where fine margins determine survival.
Team principal Fred Vasseur acknowledged the disappointment but defended the collective effort behind the scenes. “We know the results haven’t matched the potential, especially in qualifying,” he said. “But the work continues. Lewis has been tremendous in terms of feedback and leadership, and we are fully committed to giving both drivers a stronger package next year.” Vasseur emphasized that the team views this season as a foundation, not a failure, despite the harsh realities of the final races.
Hamilton, too, framed the setbacks within a broader outlook, insisting that the difficulties have only strengthened his resolve. Despite the emotional weight of the moment, he maintained that the partnership with Ferrari is still at an early stage, with significant progress expected during the off-season. “It hurts, of course,” he said. “But I believe in this team. We just have to turn this frustration into fuel for next year. We’ll analyze everything, work harder, and come back stronger.”
As the Ferraris prepare for winter development, Hamilton’s closing message was one of determination rather than defeat. Though the end of his first season in red lacked the fairytale finish many had hoped for, the fire that drove him to join the Scuderia appears undimmed. With the promise of a fresh start in 2026, both Hamilton and Ferrari will be aiming to convert this late-season anguish into a renewed championship push.
