Lewis Hamilton Named 2025’s Biggest Disappointment So Far by F1 Fans
Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has been voted the most disappointing figure of the 2025 season so far, according to a new fan poll. Despite the names being listed alphabetically to avoid influencing the results, Hamilton received the largest share of votes in the “negative surprises” category, with 31.80% of respondents selecting him — the highest among all listed choices.
This harsh verdict reflects a rocky beginning to Hamilton’s highly anticipated move to Ferrari, ending a long and storied partnership with Mercedes. His switch to the iconic Scuderia team was one of the most talked-about transfers in recent F1 history, raising expectations that the British driver would find renewed success and perhaps challenge once again for a world title. However, the early stages of his debut season in red have been underwhelming.
Hamilton’s adjustment to Ferrari’s SF-25 car has been far from smooth. While he did secure a morale-boosting sprint race win in China, the overall picture has been less encouraging. The season’s opening triple-header — comprising races in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Japan — proved to be especially difficult. In Saudi Arabia, Hamilton finished a disappointing 31 seconds behind teammate Charles Leclerc, prompting concern among fans and analysts. After the race, Hamilton was candid in his post-race remarks, admitting he didn’t understand where the performance had gone and expressing uncertainty over how to optimize the car’s setup.
The performance gap between Hamilton and Leclerc has become increasingly noticeable. While Ferrari as a whole continues to face technical and strategic challenges, Leclerc has been able to consistently extract better results from the same machinery, further emphasizing Hamilton’s struggles. Fans, who were hoping for a strong and immediate impact from the Briton, have begun to question both the decision to join Ferrari and the team’s ability to deliver a car capable of competing with the likes of Red Bull and McLaren.
Coming in second in the poll was young driver Liam Lawson, who garnered 19.34% of the votes. Lawson made a brief but memorable appearance for Red Bull this season, standing in for just two races before being sidelined. Many fans expressed frustration with how his stint was handled, arguing that he showed significant promise and wasn’t given a fair shot to prove himself further.
Red Bull Racing, despite its dominance in recent seasons, was the third most voted disappointment, with 16.61% of fans expressing discontent. The team has faced criticism for off-track controversies, internal politics, and questionable handling of driver relationships. These issues have sparked discussions about whether Red Bull’s internal dynamics might eventually undermine their on-track success.
For Ferrari, the spotlight remains intense. Although Leclerc has occasionally managed to challenge for podiums, the SF-25 still lacks the consistency and raw pace required to be a true title contender. The team’s ongoing issues with race-day strategy and reliability continue to hold them back, frustrating fans who had hoped that Hamilton’s arrival would inject new life into the Italian outfit.
Despite the current wave of criticism, Hamilton is no stranger to adversity. Known for his resilience and work ethic, the veteran driver will be determined to turn things around in the coming races. Both he and Ferrari are under significant pressure to deliver results and demonstrate progress. If they fail to do so, the scrutiny from fans and media alike will only intensify as the season unfolds.
For now, the jury is still out on whether Hamilton’s bold move to Ferrari will eventually pay off. But as it stands, his 2025 campaign is off to a rocky and disappointing start — and fans have clearly taken notice.
