Lewis Hamilton Dismisses Regret, Says Ferrari Journey Is “Only Just Beginning” Ahead of Qatar Grand Prix

On Thursday, ahead of the penultimate round of the 2025 Formula 1 season at the Lusail International Circuit, seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton addressed mounting questions surrounding his difficult debut year with Ferrari. Calm, direct, and characteristically composed, the 40-year-old sought to cool the rising wave of criticism and speculation about whether his move from Mercedes had been a mistake.

It has been a season of historic struggle for Hamilton. For the first time in his illustrious career, he faces the possibility of ending a championship campaign without a single podium finish. He has also been unable to break an unwanted personal record: 22 consecutive races without standing on the rostrum. As a result, fans and analysts alike have wondered whether the move from Mercedes—where he won six of his seven world titles—was a miscalculation.

Hamilton’s response, however, was unwavering.

“I don’t regret joining this team,” he said firmly.
“It takes time to build and develop within a new organisation, and I expected that.”

Hamilton rejected hypothetical questions about whether staying at Mercedes would have produced better results, calling such discussions “pointless.” Instead, he emphasized that Ferrari’s long-term vision was always central to his decision.

In a season marked by rare frustration, Hamilton has occasionally allowed glimpses of that emotional strain to show. Earlier this month, he described his campaign with Ferrari as “a nightmare,” prompting headlines and intense scrutiny. On Thursday, he walked back those comments, calling them the product of heat-of-the-moment disappointment.

“That was frustration speaking,” Hamilton admitted.
“At the end of a long season, your energy is low, the tension is high, and there’s a lot of disappointment after a tough race.”

Still, he insisted that his commitment to the project—and his excitement for 2026—remains intact.

“I’m genuinely enthusiastic about what the team is building for next year,” he said.
“There’s real potential here.”

Leclerc Comparison “Unfair,” Hamilton Says

One of the most persistent narratives of the 2025 season has been the stark contrast between Hamilton’s results and those of his teammate, Charles Leclerc. The Monegasque driver has enjoyed a far stronger year, collecting seven podium finishes and outscoring Hamilton by 74 points. Leclerc has also finished ahead of Hamilton in 17 of the 22 Grands Prix.

But Hamilton argued that such comparisons fail to acknowledge the structural differences between the two sides of the Ferrari garage.

“Charles has done a great job,” Hamilton said.
“He’s been here seven years. He’s surrounded by people he’s worked with for a very long time. His side of the garage is a well-oiled machine.”

For Hamilton, however, 2025 has been a year of adjustment—new engineers, new systems, and a radically different working culture after more than a decade with Mercedes.

“This is a new group of people for me,” he continued.
“It’s a new environment I’m still learning. You can’t fairly compare someone who’s been here seven years with someone who’s just walked through the door. It takes time.”

A Season of Growing Pains—and Opportunity

Ferrari entered 2025 with high hopes that Hamilton’s arrival would accelerate the team’s return to championship contention. Instead, the season has highlighted the depth of the challenge facing the Scuderia. While the car has been competitive in qualifying, race pace, tyre degradation, and reliability have all plagued Hamilton throughout the year.

Behind the scenes, however, Ferrari sources say the team remains energized by Hamilton’s influence. His technical feedback, leadership style, and relentless work ethic have reportedly accelerated development paths already underway for 2026.

Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur has repeatedly insisted that Hamilton’s impact will be long-term rather than immediate—a sentiment Hamilton echoed Thursday.

“We’re laying foundations,” Hamilton said.
“These things don’t happen overnight. But I’ve been incredibly inspired by the effort and passion inside this team.”

Looking Ahead to 2026

With the Qatar Grand Prix and Abu Dhabi finale remaining, Hamilton has two final opportunities to avoid the first podium-less season of his career. Yet his focus appears less on salvaging 2025 and more on what Ferrari can deliver in the upcoming regulation era.

Next year will bring sweeping technical changes, including revised aerodynamics and new power unit rules aimed at enhancing sustainability. Many teams expect a reset in performance rankings—an opportunity Hamilton believes Ferrari can seize.

“There’s huge potential in what’s coming,” Hamilton said.
“We’re working hard, and I’m really excited to see where we end up next season.”

For now, Hamilton remains resolute in the face of criticism, confident that the story of his Ferrari chapter is still in its opening pages.

“This journey has just begun,” he said.
“And I’m all in.”