Lewis Hamilton’s 2025 Ferrari nightmare hit a new low in Abu Dhabi qualifying when the seven-time world champion was knocked out in Q1 for the third straight race. Starting Sunday’s season finale from a shocking P16, the Briton now faces the very real prospect of completing his first full Formula 1 season without a single podium, something that has never happened in his storied career.
Moments after being told he was out, Hamilton’s defeated voice crackled over the radio: “Every time, mate… I’m so sorry.” The four-word apology to engineer Riccardo Adami perfectly captured the frustration and helplessness that has defined his maiden year in red. What was supposed to be a dream move has turned into the worst statistical season of his life.
The misery had already started hours earlier when Hamilton suddenly lost control in final practice and slammed into the barriers. “Something buckled at the front and snapped the rear,” he explained after climbing out. Ferrari’s mechanics worked miracles to repair the car in time for qualifying, but the damage to Hamilton’s confidence was clearly harder to fix.
From the high of five Abu Dhabi victories and the expectation of challenging for an eighth title, Hamilton now heads into his Ferrari farewell race staring at a back-of-the-grid start and the unwanted record of his first podium-less campaign. The radio message said it all: this simply hasn’t been the fairy-tale ending anyone imagined.
As the Yas Marina lights go out on Sunday, all eyes will be on the championship fight up front, but spare a thought for the greatest driver of his generation limping to the finish line of what he’ll desperately want to forget.
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