Why Abu Dhabi GP could be Hamilton’s launchpad for 2026 season
Lewis Hamilton has one final chance in Abu Dhabi to try and salvage what has been a forgettable first season with Ferrari.
On the eve of what promised to be one of the most celebrated unions in Formula 1 history, no one expected Hamilton to immediately outpace another superstar like Charles Leclerc, let alone fight for the championship. Yet the version we’ve seen this year is a far cry from the seven-time world champion who has thrilled fans over the past 17 years.
Even in his final years at Mercedes—particularly the last one—Hamilton had begun to show a drop in performance, but no one could have expected him to be in such a deep hole just days from the end of the 2025 season.
After 23 races, Hamilton has yet to make it onto the podium, unlike his teammate, who has already stood there seven times and even claimed a surprise pole in Hungary.
Added to that is an attitude in front of the media typical of someone eager for the season to end, recharge over the winter, and start fresh next year.
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Hamilton, it's now or never
This is especially true for him, as Hamilton has arguably struggled more than any other top driver with the current generation of ground‑effect cars, whereas he has always excelled in flat‑floor machinery—a format set to return next year with the partial abandonment of the Venturi tunnels.
Last year, also in Abu Dhabi and during his final race with Mercedes, Hamilton pulled off one of the most impressive comebacks of his career, climbing from sixteenth to fourth and ending his time with the Brackley team on a high note.
He hopes to do the same this year, with his adventure in red set to continue for at least another season. Yet without a strong performance, the lack of results risks fueling speculation and criticism about his future for months to come—bearing in mind that even a single podium wouldn’t be enough to salvage the season.
Finishing the season on a high note would, however, provide a welcome boost of confidence ahead of 2026, a year in which he will inevitably need to return to the front of the grid. If the downward trend continues into next season, the prospect of retirement could start to loom far more seriously.
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Vasseur sets record straight on Hamilton's frustrations
Ferrari’s team principal stressed that pausing development on the 2025 car ahead of schedule hasn’t significantly affected Lewis Hamilton’s focus.
He added that it’s natural for both Hamilton and Leclerc to show strong emotions, considering the team’s recent difficulties on track, and emphasized that if given the chance, the drivers would make the same decisions all over again.
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