Lewis Hamilton has become part of the unfortunate group of Ferrari drivers who have struggled in qualifying, experiencing consecutive losses in Q1. The seven-time world champion endured another tough qualifying session, marking one of the most challenging weekends in his debut season with Ferrari.
Hamilton managed only 18th place on the grid for Sunday’s Grand Prix, matching his position for Friday’s sprint race, and was eliminated early in qualifying. This was the second consecutive day he failed to advance beyond the first phase of qualifying, having also been knocked out in Q1 at the previous race in Las Vegas. Remarkably, this marks the first time in Hamilton’s 17-year career that he qualified last by outright pace.
Only two other Ferrari drivers—Luca Badoer and Giancarlo Fisichella—have suffered back-to-back Q1 eliminations, both during their 2009 qualifying struggles. Reflecting on his performance, the 40-year-old Hamilton admitted that while he made some improvements and the car felt better, it was ultimately not enough. When asked for a message for his fans, Hamilton expressed his gratitude for their unwavering support throughout the tough season.
Meanwhile, Hamilton’s teammate Charles Leclerc fared slightly better by reaching Q3 but ended up last in the final segment after a high-speed spin, qualifying a disappointing 10th. Due to a five-place grid penalty for Gabriel Bortoleto, Hamilton will actually start the penultimate race of the 2025 season from 17th on the grid.
Fan Take: This news is significant for racing fans as it highlights the ongoing struggles of a legendary driver adjusting to a new team, underscoring the challenges Ferrari faces in reclaiming its dominance. Hamilton’s difficulties serve as a reminder that even the greatest talents must adapt and fight through adversity, which adds intrigue and unpredictability to the sport’s future.
