Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has hit a new low in his debut season with Ferrari, labelling it the 'worst season ever' after a deeply disappointing performance at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
A Weekend of Frustration in Las Vegas
The British driver's nightmare weekend began with a crushing qualifying session that saw him start from 20th and last on the grid. Despite a determined effort during the race itself, Hamilton could only manage to fight his way back to a single point by finishing in 10th place.
He crossed the finish line a staggering nearly a minute behind race winner Max Verstappen, a clear indicator of the performance gap he is currently facing.
'I Feel Terrible': Hamilton's Candid Admission
Speaking to Sky Sports after the race, a dejected Hamilton did not hold back. "I feel terrible," he stated. "Terrible. It has been the worst season ever, and no matter how much I try it keeps going worse. I am trying everything in and out of the car."
When questioned by written media if he could take any satisfaction from salvaging a point, his reply was blunt: "Zero. I made up 10 places but it doesn't mean anything. It is still a bad weekend."
The Broader Picture of a Struggling Season
The statistics paint a bleak picture for the 40-year-old. Hamilton is now 73 points behind his Ferrari teammate, Charles Leclerc, and is still waiting for his first podium finish with the Italian team.
With only two races remaining in the 24-round championship, time is running out. The situation was compounded in Brazil, where he qualified 12th and then retired from the race following a first-lap collision.
Ferrari's challenges extend beyond Hamilton, as the team has now slipped to fourth in the constructors' standings. When asked if Ferrari could overtake Mercedes and Red Bull to secure a runner-up spot, a pessimistic Hamilton responded, "I don't know how many points we have. But at this rate, with my performance, we don't (have a chance)."
He grimly anticipates more of the same, adding, "I have had 22 bad weekends (this season) so I anticipate another couple." This sentiment follows public advice from Ferrari chairman John Elkann, who urged the champion to "talk less and focus more on his driving."
