Hamilton says he’s ‘not looking forward’ to 2026 season

Image credit : Instagram

Lewis Hamilton says he is already dreading the 2026 Formula 1 season after another disappointing outing, this time at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. 

The seven-time world champion endured one of the toughest weekends of his career, qualifying last on merit for the first time in 19 seasons.

Despite a spirited charge through the field, the Ferrari driver could climb no higher than 10th after becoming stuck behind Nico Hulkenberg’s Sauber in the closing laps. Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Hamilton was blunt about his frustration.

“It’s a terrible result. There is nothing positive to take from today,” he said. “I’m eager for it to end. I’m not looking forward to the next one… next season.”

His comments came after weeks of struggles, including a retirement in Sao Paulo that prompted him to call his debut Ferrari campaign “a nightmare.” Hamilton also told Sky Sports that this has been his “worst season ever.”

Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur urged calm after hearing Hamilton’s remarks, suggesting emotions were running high immediately after the race. 

“To jump out of the car and make the first comment is always a bit too much,” Vasseur said. He acknowledged Hamilton’s difficult run but emphasized that the team must stay focused on the remaining races.

Vasseur noted that Hamilton showed strong pace in free practice sessions, adding that starting from 20th made a good result nearly impossible in Las Vegas.

Hamilton currently sits sixth in the drivers’ standings, 73 points behind team-mate Charles Leclerc. 

The 40-year-old has yet to stand on a Grand Prix podium for Ferrari, though he did win the sprint race in China. If he fails to finish in the top three in the final two rounds of 2025, it would be the first season of his career without a podium finish.

As the long and painful year winds down, Hamilton’s focus now seems fixed on simply getting through what remains.