Lewis Hamilton’s Brazil GP Frustration Boils Over “Another P…read more
Lewis Hamilton endured yet another disappointing outing at the 2025 Brazilian Grand Prix, expressing his growing frustration after a difficult qualifying session that left him starting 13th on the grid. The Ferrari driver, still adapting to life with the Italian team, struggled throughout the session and joined the chorus of drivers lamenting the ongoing tyre temperature issues that plagued many competitors in São Paulo.
After being eliminated in Q2, Hamilton’s mood reflected his results. While McLaren’s Lando Norris stormed to pole position ahead of Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, Hamilton could do little more than watch from the sidelines. His elimination came as another shock, joining that of reigning world champion Max Verstappen, who also suffered a surprise early exit from qualifying.
“The set-up is fine,” Hamilton explained, clearly dejected. “I just couldn’t get the tyres working. Tyre temps,” he repeated, emphasizing the core of the issue. When asked whether Ferrari’s processes might have been to blame, he stopped short of pointing fingers. “I don’t know. I can’t remember if it’s the same problem as before. It’s not exactly the same. I think the execution was fine in terms of the timing of our runs, but the rears just wouldn’t come up to temperature. I couldn’t get them into the right window to stop the sliding.”
The session marked another frustrating chapter in what has been a season filled with inconsistency and mechanical struggles for the seven-time world champion. While his team-mate Leclerc has often found ways to extract pace from the SF-25, Hamilton has faced recurring issues with balance and grip, particularly in qualifying. This weekend was no exception, and the Sprint race offered little opportunity for redemption.
“The sprint didn’t teach us much for tomorrow,” Hamilton admitted, hinting at his disillusionment with the weekend’s proceedings. “You can’t overtake here. Once you’re stuck, that’s it.”
Visibly drained and downbeat in post-session interviews, Hamilton opened up about the toll these constant setbacks have taken on his mental state. “Um… not great, not great,” he confessed when asked how he was coping. “I’ll just do what I can tomorrow. It just keeps going bad every weekend, but I’ll get up tomorrow and try again.”
It’s an unusually candid admission from a driver known for his resilience and mental toughness. However, 2025 has tested Hamilton in ways few seasons have before. Since joining Ferrari, he has faced mounting pressure to deliver results, especially as Leclerc consistently outperforms him and keeps Ferrari within reach of podiums. For Hamilton, the frustration lies not just in the car’s limitations but also in the feeling that fortune is never on his side.
When pressed about his expectations for the main race, Hamilton didn’t mince words. “I’m not expecting anything, to be honest,” he said flatly. “We’ll see what happens. It’s another write-off weekend, I guess.”
The Interlagos circuit, known for its unpredictable weather and tight overtaking opportunities, offers a faint glimmer of hope for Hamilton and Ferrari. Strategy will likely play a crucial role on Sunday, with potential rain adding a layer of unpredictability. Ferrari’s focus will be on damage limitation—trying to salvage whatever points they can from the midfield—while Leclerc, starting from the sharp end of the grid, aims to secure another podium.
For Leclerc, the contrast in fortunes within the team couldn’t be clearer. After securing a strong qualifying position, the Monegasque was quick to highlight the fine margins that defined the weekend. “I don’t want to over-exaggerate our turnaround,” he explained. “We’re only talking about a tenth and a half, maybe. But this weekend, a tenth and a half means the difference between being out in Q1 or making it into Q3. I think we did a really good job executing everything perfectly from Q1 to Q3 because we knew the margins were so tight.”
While Leclerc’s consistency continues to offer Ferrari hope, Hamilton’s ongoing struggles raise questions about how quickly he can adapt to the team’s unique car philosophy. His feedback on tyre management has been a recurring theme since joining the team, and his comments suggest that the issues are not entirely driver-related. Ferrari’s inability to consistently bring their tyres into the optimal operating window has cost them valuable positions on multiple weekends.
As the 2025 season edges toward its conclusion, Hamilton’s patience appears to be wearing thin. Once a dominant force in qualifying, he now finds himself battling in the midfield, searching for rhythm and confidence. “It’s been tough,” he admitted earlier in the season, “but I’m still pushing. That’s what I’ve always done.”
Heading into Sunday’s race, Hamilton will need both luck and strategy to turn his fortunes around. Interlagos has been kind to him in the past—scene of some of his most iconic career moments—but right now, it feels more like a battlefield than a homecoming.
For Ferrari, the mission remains simple: maximize what they can from a car that still struggles with tyre temperature and race pace. For Hamilton, it’s another test of patience and perseverance in a season that has yet to deliver the redemption he hoped for.
Whether Sunday brings a turnaround or another “write-off weekend,” one thing is certain—Hamilton’s determination remains intact, even as frustration continues to mount.
