Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari’s hell is almost over

Ferrari pushed the 2024 constructors’ championship fight all the way to the final lap in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, only to lose to McLaren by 14 points. One year later, they arrive at Yas Marina sitting fourth in the standings with fewer than half their rivals’ points, 382 to McLaren’s 800.

The team opened the season as one of the biggest storylines after landing seven-time drivers’ champion Lewis Hamilton, but the SF-25 ends the year winless, something that had not happened since 2021. In fact, Ferrari’s most recent victory came from a driver who is no longer with the team, Carlos Sainz, in Mexico in 2024.

Why Ferrari have been so bad in 2025

Inside the garage, team members acknowledge that aerodynamic development on the car stopped in April, although a new rear suspension was introduced in July. That slowdown is their explanation for the weak finish. Still, most teams followed a similar strategy as they shifted the bulk of their resources toward the 2026 regulations.

Charles Leclerc agrees that the lack of upgrades played a major role. “It made a huge difference, so it was not a surprise that the second half of the season was so tough against our rivals. I hope it pays off next year. That was the plan when we moved all our resources to 2026.”

Hamilton echoed the sentiment. “It shows how much everyone else has developed and how little we have at this stage of the season. I could not even stay with the Williams of Albon, and the Williams of Sainz finished third. They have done a great job.”

Confidence disappears on track

Hamilton finished outside the points in Qatar in 12th place and has now suffered three straight Q1 eliminations. Leclerc placed eighth in Qatar after qualifying only 10th.

“I had no confidence and no pace in the car. Nothing. Honestly, I was just happy for the weekend to be over,” Leclerc said. “It was frustrating from the first to the last lap. After what happened on Saturday, when I ran wide in the sprint and lost several positions, I had no confidence and no idea what the car would do on those opening laps. We were not competitive for a single lap the entire weekend, and it is frustrating.”

Ferrari arrives in Abu Dhabi with little reason to celebrate.

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