Lewis Hamilton’s first season in Ferrari red was supposed to be the fairytale. Instead, it became the plot twist nobody saw coming.
After 18 straight seasons with at least one win, the seven-time world
champion has unbelievably finished winless for the first time in his 19-year F1 career.
And the misery doesn’t stop there: zero podiums. Not one. A staggering fall for a driver who once made rostrums feel routine.
Ferrari’s 2024 title-challenging beast morphed into a 2025 mystery box — quick enough to look respectable, never sharp enough to strike.
While Charles Leclerc bagged seven podiums, Hamilton’s ceiling was P4: Imola, the Red Bull Ring (twice), Silverstone, and Austin. The Mexico GP should’ve been his rescue act — he qualified third — but a penalty after tangling with Max Verstappen dumped him to eighth.
Hamilton took no comfort from his recovery drive to eighth place in Abu Dhabi, a result, coupled with Andrea Kimi Antonelli failing to score points, meaning he finished sixth place in the final F1 standings.
“I don’t particularly feel relieved, no,” he added. “I feel fine. I feel pretty fresh. I’m just looking forward to the break. I’ve said all I can about this season already, so there’s not much more to add to it. Just move forward.”
Hamilton also added another unwanted stat: the first Ferrari driver in 44 years to go an entire season without a podium. Not since Ivan Capelli (1992) — who didn’t even stay till the end — has a Ferrari newcomer gone empty-handed. The last full-season newcomer to miss the podium? Didier Pironi in 1981.
A brutal debut year, no sugar-coating it.
So yes, Hamilton’s had enough.
“I’m only looking forward to the break… not speaking to anyone,” the 40-year-old said after finishing eighth in Abu Dhabi. “No one will be able to get in touch with me. I won’t have my phone — it’s going in the bin.”
