Lewis Hamilton's dream move to Ferrari has descended into what he describes as the 'worst season' of his storied 19-year career, culminating in a second public rebuke from the team's top brass.
A Season of Struggle
The seven-time world champion's difficult first year with the Scuderia hit a new low at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, where he qualified in a career-worst last place. Hamilton, 40, candidly admitted this is the most challenging period he has faced, stating, 'No matter how much I try, it keeps getting worse.' The British driver, who has failed to secure a single podium finish since his high-profile switch, also revealed he is eager for the season to end and holds little optimism for the next.
Vasseur's Public Rebuke
In response to Hamilton's frank assessment, Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has publicly urged his lead driver to 'calm down'. While expressing understanding for the immediate post-race reaction, Vasseur emphasised the need for focus. 'He has to calm down and be focused on the next two races,' Vasseur said. This marks the second time Hamilton has been publicly reprimanded by Ferrari management, following an earlier warning from chairman John Elkann to 'talk less'.
The latest exchange was triggered by Hamilton's explosive comments to Sky Sports, where he described the situation as a 'nightmare' he has 'been living for a while', contrasting sharply with the dream of driving for the legendary team.
The Hard Numbers
Despite fighting from the back of the grid in Las Vegas to finish tenth—later classified eighth after McLaren disqualifications—the reality of Hamilton's season is stark. He currently trails his teammate, Charles Leclerc, by a significant 74 points in the drivers' championship. The team's struggles are collective, with Ferrari having slipped to fourth in the constructors' standings, 53 points behind his former team, Mercedes.
When questioned about the possibility of overtaking Mercedes, a dejected Hamilton conceded, 'At this rate, with my performance, we don’t (have a chance). I have had 22 bad weekends, so I anticipate another couple.'
Attention now turns to the final two rounds of the season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. The Qatar Grand Prix this weekend also presents a pivotal moment for Hamilton's compatriot, Lando Norris, who could secure his maiden world title if he outscores both Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri.
