Photo: Race Pictures

Hamilton's torturous F1 2025 season: Is it even worth returning in 2026?

17:30, 03 Dec

Updated: 17:48, 03 Dec

bySamson Ero

Forgettable, underwhelming, torrid – take your pick. All of these words capture the season Lewis Hamilton has endured at Scuderia Ferrari.

So challenging has his campaign been that it naturally raised the question about his continuity in the sport for 2026. But should walking away really be on the cards for Hamilton, or is there anything more to prove?

Hamilton’s stellar career and his Ferrari struggles

It’s a storied career already, statistically the greatest the Formula 1 world has seen so far in its 75-year history. But the final chapters of this bright, beautiful career, which started with McLaren in 2007, have been far from glorious.

Across 23 races with the Scuderia Ferrari team, Hamilton is yet to finish on the podium. He has gone over a year without a top-three finish and has his name firmly etched into the less flattering record books as the Ferrari driver with the most races for the Italian team without a podium finish.

Nonetheless, Hamilton has built a character synonymous with not cowering under pressure. Recall that after recording a brilliant start at McLaren, where he went on to claim the drivers’ title in 2008, the British driver would have to wait until 2014 and join another team, Mercedes, before achieving his second title.

Lewis Hamilton at the Las Vegas Grand Prix - Photo: Race Pictures

While the challenges he now faces at Ferrari may be unlike anything he has encountered before, Hamilton has repeatedly shown his ability to rise from adversity.

However, the fact remains: operations at Ferrari are peculiar, to say the least. Maranello has a way of operating – a way that has yielded success in the past but now produces results that are far and few between. Hamilton appears to still be adapting to the intricacies of the team, but with time, he could find his rhythm within their system.

Ferrari itself has a broader issue for 2025. Team Principal Fred Vasseur confirmed that the team halted the development of the SF-25 machinery since April to focus on its 2026 car – a decision that can also be pointed at to have contributed to the disappointing results recorded by Hamilton.

Lewis Hamilton at the Qatar Grand Prix - Photo: Race Pictures

However, if Hamilton was indeed truthful when he said, upon his switch to Ferrari, that he wanted to be world champion with the team, then he has got to weather this storm. Fortunately, the arrival of new regulations next season offers a chance for a reset.

Bowing out in style in Formula 1 is hardly something only a few drivers manage to achieve, but many also do not experience lows as Hamilton’s currently before calling it quits.

It’s safe to say that with the regulations reshuffle, Hamilton has the opportunity to try again in 2026, see how the cards fall, and then decide if he wants to continue. Walking away now, however, would leave his devoted fans with a sour taste to swallow.