Lewis Hamilton surprised many this week by disclosing that he has been meticulously documenting every misstep he and his Ferrari team have taken throughout the year. Given the challenging season he has endured as a seven-time champion, it is likely that the list of errors could fill up a substantial notepad.
Approaching his 41st birthday in January, Hamilton recognizes the limited opportunities he has left to pursue an eighth Formula 1 title before retirement. The upcoming 2026 season holds significant importance for him, prompting a dedicated effort with his team to not only develop a competitive car but also rectify costly mistakes from the past.
As the season finale approaches, reflecting on the blunders made by Hamilton and Ferrari during their disappointing debut season becomes pertinent. Hamilton’s transition to the Ferrari team had a lackluster start with a 10th place finish in his first Grand Prix, marred by incorrect weather predictions that impacted the team’s performance.
Hamilton’s shining moment in Shanghai with a Sprint race victory was a glimpse of hope for success in his new team colors, but it remained his sole triumph so far. However, Ferrari faced a setback when both drivers were disqualified from a race due to technical infractions shortly after the victory.
Despite several setbacks attributed to Ferrari’s errors, Hamilton took responsibility for a subpar performance at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Struggles with qualifying continued in Belgium, where an unusual tire lock-up affected his Sprint race performance, followed by a disappointing Grand Prix qualification due to track limits violations.
Hamilton’s self-criticism peaked in Budapest after a poor qualifying session, where he openly expressed frustration with his performance. With a series of personal and team errors, including brake failures in Singapore and a rare last-place qualification in Las Vegas, Hamilton faced a challenging season marred by mistakes.
The season’s conclusion saw Hamilton aiming for a positive finish, but a crash in the final practice session and continued struggles in qualifying highlighted the ongoing challenges. Despite the setbacks, Hamilton remains determined to improve and strive for success in the upcoming seasons.