Lewis Hamilton surprised by Charles Leclerc’s harsh verdict on ‘catastrophe’ Ferrari season
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc struggled to make an impact at the Qatar Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton has confessed that Ferrari endured a “very tough weekend” after battling to stay competitive in the Qatar Grand Prix. This comes near the conclusion of what has been a difficult season for the Briton, who would have envisioned the beginning of his stint with the Prancing Horse unfolding quite differently.
There have been issues with the car and team tactics throughout the season, which persisted at the second-to-last race in Qatar. The Sprint race witnessed Hamilton and Charles Leclerc conclude in 17th and 13th respectively, keeping them well clear of the points positions.
Qualifying didn’t proceed much more smoothly for the Italian squad either, with Hamilton eliminated in Q1, while Leclerc managed to slip into Q3 but started tenth on the grid. Both drivers succeeded in advancing a few places, but with minimal effect on their overall standings this season.
Leclerc managed to conclude in P8, securing him a few points, whilst Hamilton’s P12 finish showed some progress, but insufficient to earn him any points.
This prolongs what has been somewhat of a disappointing season for both Ferrari stars, who would have anticipated being more competitive. Whilst attention is squarely on how they can enhance performance for 2026, the anguish is clearly being extended over the remaining few races of the current campaign, reports the Express.
Speaking after the race, Hamilton was informed of Leclerc’s description of it as a continuation of the “disaster” the team have been grappling with so far. The British driver appeared taken aback by the intensity of his teammate’s words, but didn’t dispute them.
He told the press after the Qatar Grand Prix: “He [Leclerc] said that [it was a disaster]?” before adding: “I’m trying to think of what could be worse than that word. I will just say it was a very tough weekend.”
The absence of points in Qatar now leaves Hamilton battling to maintain sixth place in the World Drivers’ Championship for this season. The 40-year-old currently has 152 points to his name, but Kimi Antonelli – who replaced him at Mercedes this season – is hot on his heels with 150 points.
If he were to drop to seventh, it would equal his worst-ever finish in the championship standings, mirroring last season’s low point in what was a challenging season with Mercedes. While it was hoped that a dream move to Ferrari could see him soar again, it has instead turned into something of a nightmare.
Speaking after the Las Vegas Grand Prix, a disheartened Hamilton revealed the extent of his struggles, stating: “I feel terrible, terrible. It’s been the worst season ever. No matter how much I try, it keeps getting worse. I’m trying everything, in and out of the car.”
The British driver inked a multi-year deal with Ferrari, ensuring he will join Leclerc on the grid again in 2026. There’s some optimism that the team can identify the problems both drivers have been experiencing with the current model of their car, and make the necessary adjustments to boost their competitiveness.
For now, however, attention is squarely on the upcoming Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, aiming to put an end to their disastrous season so far, which looks likely to be Hamilton’s first ever without a podium finish.
