Lewis Hamilton Continues Disappointing Streak With Q1 Exit at 2025 Abu Dhabi GP

Lewis Hamilton’s inaugural season with Ferrari will conclude without the competitive finale he had hoped for.



The seven-time world champion’s struggles were starkly evident during qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, marking a low point in a challenging year.



For the third consecutive race weekend, Hamilton was eliminated in the first segment of qualifying .



He will start his final race of the 2025 season from a distant P16 on the grid, virtually extinguishing any remaining hope for a podium before the winter break.



A Radio Message Captures the Struggle



His immediate reaction to the result was heard over team radio, directed at race engineer Riccardo Adami.



“Every time, mate, I’m so sorry,” Hamilton said, his tone laden with frustration.



The 40-year-old Briton currently sits sixth in the Drivers’ Championship, a position that underscores his difficult transition to the Scuderia since joining in January.



His post-qualifying demeanor in the media pen reflected the performance.



Interviewed by Sky Sports F1’s Rachel Brookes, Hamilton appeared visibly dejected.



“We made lots of changes to the car and the car felt great today,” Hamilton stated, making the outcome more perplexing.



An Exchange of Nods Replaces Words



Brookes then referenced his radio message, asking for clarification.



“So when you said on the radio ‘the same thing again’, were you referring to your performance in qualifying?” she asked.



In response, Hamilton simply nodded his head in affirmation.



Brookes followed up, suggesting, “And you don’t know why, you just can’t find it at the moment, that skill you’ve been known for.”



Again, Hamilton nodded silently, before the interview concluded abruptly.



This quiet resignation has become a familiar theme in a season filled with heartbreaking moments for the champion.



Hamilton has frequently appeared to be wrestling with a severe crisis of confidence behind the wheel of the Ferrari.



Looking Ahead to 2026 for a Reset



He has previously expressed that he is looking forward to the conclusion of the 2025 campaign.



However, he has also noted that he does not necessarily anticipate the 2026 season with excitement, which is set to be the final year of his current contract with the team.



A significant variable offers a potential lifeline for a career resurgence.



The 2026 season will introduce a completely new generation of cars, governed by sweeping technical regulation changes.



This fresh start could prove beneficial for Hamilton, as the current car design philosophy, introduced in 2022, has netted him only two race victories in four full seasons.



The regulatory shakeup promises a potential wholesale reshuffle of the competitive order.



This creates an opportunity for Ferrari to design a car that is more suited to Hamilton’s driving style and could challenge at the front of the grid.



For now, the champion is left to contemplate a season of unfulfilled promise and search for answers during the offseason.
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