Lewis Hamilton may have quietly signaled the end of his Ferrari chapter after a frustrating 2025 season, according to former F1 driver Johnny Herbert. Hamilton finished sixth in the Drivers’ Championship with just 156 points, lagging far behind teammate Charles Leclerc, who racked up 242 points. The seven-time world champion also lost the qualifying battle decisively, highlighting the struggles he faced in a car that rarely challenged the frontrunners. Despite securing Ferrari’s sole win of the year in the China sprint race, neither driver could consistently match the pace of McLaren, Mercedes, or Red Bull.
The season revealed persistent issues with Ferrari’s performance. At the Qatar Grand Prix, Hamilton admitted that Alpine’s Pierre Gasly described his car as “so bad,” while the Scuderia’s engineers grappled with floor and ride height problems that affected the team throughout the year. These technical challenges forced drivers to adopt lift-and-coast strategies, further hindering competitiveness. Hamilton’s season included three consecutive Q1 exits, though he showed glimpses of his talent with impressive overtakes in Abu Dhabi, at one point running as high as sixth.
Hamilton’s public comments often reflected his frustration, with cryptic remarks about not looking forward to 2026 and expressing “an unbearable amount of anger and rage” after qualifying 16th in Abu Dhabi. These statements, combined with subdued interview responses, have fueled speculation about his future at Ferrari, despite him still having a two-year contract. Herbert suggested Hamilton’s words could be interpreted as a “farewell speech,” hinting at a potential shift in mindset after a season that didn’t meet his standards.
Despite the challenges, Hamilton remains committed to racing. He plans to adjust his inner circle and approach for the 2026 season, hoping to extract maximum performance from Ferrari under the new regulations. His reflections indicate resilience and determination, emphasizing that overcoming a tough season has prepared him for future challenges. Hamilton’s drive to compete at the top remains, even as uncertainty looms over Ferrari’s competitiveness in the upcoming year.
Ultimately, while speculation about Hamilton leaving Ferrari circulates, the driver himself has no intention of ending his contract early. Instead, he aims to learn from the 2025 setbacks, refine his team strategy, and return stronger for the 2026 season. The combination of personal resolve and Ferrari’s efforts to address technical shortcomings could set the stage for Hamilton to challenge for a record-breaking eighth Drivers’ Championship.
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