Lewis Hamilton surprised many this week by admitting that he has been meticulously documenting every mistake made by himself and his Ferrari team throughout the season. Given the challenging year the seven-time champion has faced, it is likely that his list of errors could fill a sizable notepad.
Approaching his 41st birthday in January, Hamilton recognizes the limited opportunities he has left to secure an eighth Formula 1 title before retirement. The upcoming 2026 season holds significant importance for him, leading him to commit to working diligently with his team during the winter to address past errors and build a competitive car.
As the season draws to a close, it is a fitting time to reflect on the mishaps that have plagued Hamilton and Ferrari during their disappointing debut campaign. Despite high expectations at the start of the season, Hamilton’s transition to the Ferrari team faced challenges, notably highlighted by a disappointing 10th place finish in his debut race in adverse weather conditions.
While there were glimpses of success, such as Hamilton’s victory in the Sprint race in Shanghai, setbacks continued to hinder his performance. Notably, both Ferrari drivers faced disqualification from a Grand Prix, with Hamilton and Leclerc encountering technical issues that led to their exclusion.
Hamilton faced personal accountability for his underwhelming performance at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, where he struggled with balance issues and finished sixth. Qualifying difficulties persisted for Hamilton, evident in his struggles during the Sprint format in Belgium and subsequent track limit violations.
The season further unfolded with incidents in Budapest, Monza, and Baku, where a combination of personal errors and team misjudgments added to Hamilton’s challenges. Despite efforts to bounce back, Hamilton encountered further setbacks, including post-race penalties and a disappointing qualifying session in Singapore.
As the season progressed, Hamilton faced unprecedented challenges, including a last-place qualifying result in Las Vegas due to a miscommunication regarding timing. With hopes of ending the season on a positive note, Hamilton’s aspirations were dashed by an unfortunate incident during practice that led to another disappointing qualifying outcome.
In conclusion, Hamilton’s journey in the 2026 Formula 1 season has been marked by a series of highs and lows, underscoring the competitive nature of the sport and the relentless pursuit of excellence.