Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton faced yet another challenging weekend at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, finishing in points after starting from the back of the grid. This disappointing performance led him to express deep frustration regarding his struggles during his debut season with Ferrari, which he characterized as “the worst season ever.”
Having transitioned from Mercedes to Ferrari, expectations for Hamilton were understandably high. However, this season marked a particularly tough chapter in his illustrious career, as he is set to conclude the year without a podium finish—an unprecedented situation for him since he entered Formula 1 in 2007. During the rain-affected qualifying session, Hamilton struggled significantly, ending up in 20th place after recording the slowest time in Q1. Although he managed to recover during the race and finished 10th, his position was later upgraded to eighth due to disqualifications of both McLaren drivers. Yet, the points gained offered little comfort to a visibly disconsolate Hamilton.
In an interview with Sky Sports F1 right after the race, Hamilton candidly conveyed his feelings. “I feel terrible,” he admitted. “It’s been the worst season ever and no matter how much I try, it just keeps getting worse. I’m trying everything in and out of the car.” His sentiments resonated as he highlighted the overwhelming nature of his current situation, emphasizing that he derived “zero” satisfaction from the race and found it impossible to identify any positives amid the turmoil.
Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc managed to finish sixth, which was later adjusted to fourth after the ruling concerning the McLarens. However, Hamilton’s struggles seemed to overshadow any excitement surrounding the team’s battle for second place in the Constructors’ Championship, competing against Red Bull and Mercedes. He expressed a resigned attitude towards the championship situation, stating, “I don’t even know how many points we have, but at this rate, with my performance, we’re done.”
Starting the race on hard tires, Hamilton exhibited some early progress, advancing to 12th by the third lap. However, an early pit stop for medium tires proved problematic, as he struggled to manage his tires throughout the race. Despite displaying some competitive spirit—having finished fourth in the previous race in the USA—this season has become increasingly difficult for him, with several races resulting in poor outcomes that have kept him from breaking into the top five of the drivers’ standings.
His former teammate, Jenson Button, weighed in on Hamilton’s predicament, expressing hope that this downturn is merely a temporary setback. He stated, “I feel Lewis has carried himself really well this year. It’s been a very difficult season for someone of his calibre. He’s carried himself so well. It’s the first time I feel we’ve really seen him seriously deflated.” Button acknowledged the mental toll that a series of disappointing results can have on even the most seasoned athletes, noting, “It gets to you. Mentally it’s draining when you have a few bad races.”
While wishing for a turnaround in Hamilton’s fortunes, Button remarked, “It felt like it was on the up and this might be one bad race. It might be back for the next one – and I hope so. If he has a bad race, he’s very good at turning it around at the next one.” However, he recognized the reality of the situation, stating, “It won’t weigh on him after this weekend but it’s a tough moment for his career right now.”
As the season draws to a close, it is evident that Lewis Hamilton faces a defining moment, one that will test his resilience and determination in the face of adversity. The hope remains that the legendary driver will find a way to bounce back, reclaiming the competitive edge he is known for in the upcoming seasons.
World of sports 
Leave a comment