Lewis Hamilton labeled his first season with Ferrari a “nightmare,” and the seven-time Formula 1 champion faces a pivotal 2026 as the team resets with new regulations—but could this be his final year in the sport?
A Rocky Start in Red
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Can Hamilton and Ferrari turn the page after a disappointing 2025?
- Hamilton’s 2025 season was hampered by a disqualification in China that set the tone for a year of struggles.
- Ferrari prioritized development for the 2026 regulations mid-season, leaving Hamilton with a flawed car.
- The Briton’s future with Ferrari—and in F1—hinges on the team’s performance with the new cars.
The highly anticipated pairing of Formula 1’s most decorated driver and its most successful team quickly soured, with Hamilton openly expressing his frustration with an underperforming Ferrari car. The 2026 season looms large, presenting a chance for redemption amid a significant rules reset. But questions linger: can Hamilton and Ferrari bounce back, or could this be the end of an era for the British racing icon?
What Went Wrong in 2025?
Hamilton’s Ferrari debut was marked by a viral Instagram post from Maranello, generating immense excitement. Initial promise flickered after a challenging Australian Grand Prix, as he secured pole position for the sprint race in China, which he then won. However, the euphoria was short-lived. Ferrari was disqualified from the Shanghai Grand Prix itself due to two violations concerning the underside of the floor—a problem that would define their season.
The disqualification in China proved to be a critical turning point. Ferrari discovered its car needed to run incredibly close to the ground to maximize performance, but risked being deemed illegal. Raising the ride height compromised speed. The team spent valuable time attempting to resolve this issue, delaying development to address the gap to McLaren. Ultimately, they decided to abandon the 2025 project and focus entirely on 2026—a decision supported by both Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc. This left Hamilton stuck with a flawed car, unable to push for fundamental changes.
As results dwindled, Hamilton’s confidence appeared to wane. He publicly questioned his own performance, even suggesting Ferrari consider a driver change after Leclerc secured pole position in Hungary. A series of fourth-place finishes represented his best results, marking the first full season of his career without a podium appearance. He was consistently outperformed by Leclerc, adding insult to injury.
“This is a nightmare, and I have been living it for a while,” Hamilton admitted late in the year. “The flip between the dream of driving for this amazing team and the nightmare of the results we have had, the ups and downs, it’s challenging.”
Looking Ahead to 2026
There is reason for optimism. Hamilton has expressed his dislike for the previous generation of F1 cars—the “ground effect” era from 2022 to 2025—and hopes for a better connection with the new cars debuting in 2026. Formula 1 promises the latest iteration will be more agile and conducive to overtaking, and the anticipated complexity of the new aerodynamic adjustments could favor experienced drivers early in the season.
Hamilton consistently pointed to 2026 as his target for a championship challenge with Ferrari, even during the initial hype surrounding his move. While he didn’t anticipate such a difficult first year, he tempered expectations, acknowledging the challenges of switching teams at the end of a regulatory cycle. Carlos Sainz, Hamilton’s predecessor, faced similar struggles early in his tenure with Williams before finding his stride. The team’s early shift in focus to 2026 also means the upcoming car should better reflect Hamilton’s desired specifications.
Crucially, Hamilton now has a year of experience within the Ferrari system. Despite outwardly negative comments and a sometimes-strained relationship with race engineer Ricardo Adami, he has gained a deeper understanding of the team’s operations and how to navigate them effectively. This insight will be invaluable.
Will 2026 Be His Last Season?
It’s difficult to say, but as of November 2025, Hamilton indicated a long-term commitment to Ferrari. “I have a pretty long contract,” he stated. “Normally when you do a contract, it is the year before that you start to talk about it, so I am a little bit far from that point.”
Hamilton’s contract is believed to include options beyond racing, potentially involving an ambassadorial role with Ferrari. However, there’s currently no indication he’s considering an exit. That said, another lackluster season could change things. Ferrari chairman John Elkann publicly challenged his drivers late in 2025, and his patience may be tested if results don’t improve.
Should Hamilton continue to struggle, the emergence of academy driver Oliver Bearman at Haas provides a potential long-term replacement. However, retaining Charles Leclerc beyond 2026 is also a priority for Ferrari—the team would likely avoid losing two star drivers in quick succession. The situation remains unpredictable, as F1 contracts often include escape clauses and extension options.
Hamilton’s mindset will also be crucial. While he displayed negativity throughout 2025, he also exhibited moments of self-doubt reminiscent of his final seasons at Mercedes. His emotional nature could influence his decision if results continue to elude him.
Fernando Alonso’s continued presence in F1 into his 40s demonstrates the possibility of racing at a high level later in life. However, Hamilton’s situation differs—the allure of driving for Ferrari might keep him motivated beyond 2026. Conversely, frustration with Ferrari’s internal processes could lead him down a similar path as Alonso and Sebastian Vettel, whose tenures with the team were ultimately unsuccessful.
F1’s Oldest Drivers
Hamilton and Alonso—who will turn 45 in July—are rare examples of drivers competing at a high level in their 40s. In F1’s early years, older drivers were more common. The oldest driver to participate in a race is Louis Chiron, who was 55 years, nine months and 19 days old when he competed in the Monaco Grand Prix in 1955. The oldest 17 drivers on the all-time list all competed in the 1950s, while Alonso—currently 51st—is the first driver to have raced in a season later than the 1970s.
Hamilton is currently 101st on the list, a ranking that will rise this season. If he races in 2027, he will surpass Kimi Raikkonen (42 years, one month and 25 days in 2021). Pedro de la Rosa and Michael Schumacher (43 years, 10 months, 22 days in 2012) are the only other modern-era drivers ahead of Hamilton.
If Hamilton wins a race this year, he would become the seventh oldest winner in F1 history. Nigel Mansell is currently seventh, at 41 years, three months and five days—a milestone Hamilton will pass in April. The oldest winner is Luigi Faglioli, who was 53 years and 22 days old when he won the French Grand Prix in 1951. Interestingly, Hamilton is also the seventh youngest driver to have ever won a race, at 22 years, five months and three days in Canada in 2007.
Key Dates for the 2026 Season
Ferrari car launch date: January 23, three days before private preseason testing begins in Barcelona.
Preseason test 1: January 26-30, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (behind closed doors)
Preseason test 2: February 11-13, Bahrain International Circuit
Preseason test 3: February 18-20, Bahrain International Circuit
Australian Grand Prix (first race): March 6-8, Melbourne
