When Lewis Hamilton rolled off the grid for qualifying at the 2025 Las Vegas Grand PrixLas Vegas Strip Circuit on November 22, 2025, he had no idea it would become the lowest point of his 18-year career. The seven-time world champion, now driving for Scuderia Ferrari, finished dead last in Q1—2.378 seconds slower than pole-sitter Max Verstappen. It was the first time in his entire F1 journey that Hamilton was the slowest driver on the track. "I really struggled," he said afterward, his voice heavy with disbelief. "It’s been horrendous. I thought we had it this time. We didn’t." The 2025 Las Vegas Grand PrixLas Vegas Strip Circuit is a 6.120-kilometer temporary street course winding past casinos and neon lights in Paradise, Nevada. This year’s race marked the third straight year the event has been held here, and for Ferrari, it was the final chance to salvage a winless season—their first since 1993. Hamilton’s qualifying collapse wasn’t an isolated incident. His teammate, Charles Leclerc, a 27-year-old Monégasque driver in his seventh season with Ferrari, qualified ninth but didn’t celebrate. On team radio, he let loose: "My god, embarrassing. F---ing embarrassing. There’s like zero grip. Zero f---ing grip." What happened? Rain. Just enough to turn the already treacherous Las Vegas surface into a slick, unpredictable mess. Hamilton explained that on his final lap, yellow flags waved in the final corners, forcing him to lift off the throttle. "I had to slow down coming into 17," he said. "Then it turned red. I didn’t get a clean lap. But even without that… I was still way off." He admitted that in Friday’s third practice session, the car had felt perfect. "I thought finally, finally we’d have a good day," he said. "But it didn’t happen." Leclerc echoed the frustration. "We’ve been struggling with wet conditions since I joined," he told F1 TV. "It’s been my biggest strength in junior categories. Now, I can’t even feel the tires. The car’s unpredictable. We’ve turned it upside down. Nothing works."
Why Is Ferrari So Bad in the Wet?
The problem isn’t new. Since Leclerc joined Ferrari in 2018, the team has consistently underperformed in damp conditions. Engineers in Maranello, Italy have run over 180 simulated wet-weather sessions this season alone. Yet the results remain catastrophic. Leclerc added: "We’ve had Lewis and Carlos [Sainz] tell us how their old cars felt. We know what grip should feel like. We just can’t make ours do it." Team principal Frédéric Vasseur, 55, confirmed after Sunday’s race that the team’s aerodynamic setup is too sensitive to track temperature changes. "The front wing generates too much downforce in dry conditions, but collapses in the wet," he said. "We’re chasing a solution that doesn’t exist yet."Pressure Mounts in Maranello
Ferrari president John Elkann, 57, has been blunt all season. In April, he told both drivers to "focus on driving and talk less." That message has only grown louder. After Las Vegas, insiders say Elkann convened an emergency meeting with the technical staff. The winless streak—now confirmed with zero victories across 22 races—is the longest in Ferrari’s modern history. The last time they went a full season without a win was 1993, when Jean Alesi and Michael Schumacher drove a car that barely qualified. Hamilton, who spent 12 years with Mercedes-AMG Petronas, now finds himself in the middle of a team in freefall. He’s won 103 races. He’s raced in 318 Grands Prix. He’s never finished last in qualifying. "It’s not about me," he said after the race. "It’s about the team. We’ve got to fix this."The Race: A Silver Lining? Not Really
Sunday’s race offered a glimmer of hope. Hamilton avoided the Turn 1 chaos that took out Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri of McLaren Racing. When both McLarens were disqualified for illegal floor flexing, Hamilton moved from P10 to P8. It was his best finish since Monaco in May. But even that felt hollow. "P8 doesn’t fix what happened Saturday," he said. "It doesn’t fix the car. It doesn’t fix our confidence."What’s Next? The Final Chapter in Abu Dhabi
The season ends on December 7, 2025, at the Abu Dhabi Grand PrixYas Island Circuit. For Ferrari, it’s not about winning. It’s about survival. The team’s sponsors are nervous. The board is reviewing budgets. And Hamilton, who signed a one-year deal, has yet to confirm if he’ll return in 2026. Leclerc, meanwhile, is reportedly in talks with Red Bull. He’s still young. Still fast. But he’s tired of being the guy who can’t make the car work. "I love Ferrari," he said quietly after the race. "But I don’t want to be remembered as the driver who couldn’t fix it."What This Means for Formula 1
Ferrari’s collapse isn’t just a team issue—it’s a symbolic moment. The most storied name in motorsport, reduced to a shadow of itself. For the first time in decades, the sport’s narrative isn’t about Hamilton vs. Verstappen. It’s about whether Ferrari can ever recover. And if not, what does that say about the future of legacy teams in an era dominated by data, engineering, and money?One thing’s certain: the roar of the tifosi won’t be enough to bring back the glory. Not anymore. Not until someone in Maranello finds the grip they’ve lost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Lewis Hamilton struggling so much at Ferrari?
Hamilton isn’t struggling because he’s lost speed—he’s one of the fastest drivers ever. The issue is Ferrari’s car, which lacks rear-end stability and grip, especially in wet conditions. His 12 years with Mercedes gave him a car that was predictable; Ferrari’s is erratic. He’s adapting, but the car’s flaws are systemic, not driver-related.
Has Ferrari ever had a worse season than 2025?
No. While Ferrari had winless seasons in 1993 and 1997, they still scored podiums and finished fourth in the constructors’ championship. In 2025, they’ve failed to reach the podium once, earned only 48 points, and finished ninth in the constructors’ standings—their lowest since 1980.
What’s causing Ferrari’s wet-weather problems?
Engineers point to the car’s front wing design, which generates too much downforce in dry conditions but collapses under wet loads, causing rear instability. Combined with a suspension setup that doesn’t adapt to changing track temperatures, the car becomes unpredictable. This has been a recurring issue since 2018, and despite over 180 simulations, no fix has been found.
Could Charles Leclerc leave Ferrari in 2026?
Yes. Multiple sources confirm Leclerc is in early talks with Red Bull Racing. He’s under contract until 2026, but Ferrari’s lack of progress and internal dysfunction have eroded his trust. With Verstappen dominating and Red Bull offering a competitive car, Leclerc may see no future at Ferrari beyond this season.
Will Lewis Hamilton return to Ferrari in 2026?
It’s unlikely. Hamilton signed a one-year deal for 2025, and his team has indicated he’ll evaluate his options after Abu Dhabi. With Mercedes offering a competitive car and Red Bull’s future uncertain, Hamilton may return to his former team—or retire. His legacy doesn’t need another title—but he deserves a car that lets him race.
How does this affect Formula 1’s competitive balance?
Ferrari’s decline shifts the narrative from a two-team battle (Red Bull vs. Mercedes) to a three-team race with McLaren and Aston Martin rising. It also raises questions about legacy teams’ ability to compete without massive investment. If Ferrari can’t recover, it could signal the end of an era where tradition guarantees success.
