The seven-time world champion has endured a challenging debut season with Ferrari.
Lewis Hamilton once faced one of the most severe punishments of his Formula 1 career at the Brazilian Grand Prix — a race that has delivered both triumph and heartbreak for the British driver. As he looks to wrap up his first season with Ferrari, Hamilton is still searching for his first podium finish in red, with only four races left on the calendar.
Brazil has always been a meaningful venue for Hamilton. It was at Interlagos in 2008 where he famously clinched his first world title on the final lap, overtaking Timo Glock to snatch the championship from Felipe Massa by a single point — just moments after Ferrari had begun celebrating what they thought was Massa’s victory.
But Brazil has also brought some of Hamilton’s most difficult moments. In 2021, after taking pole position in sprint qualifying, he was disqualified due to a rear wing irregularity and forced to start from the back for the sprint race. Showing his trademark resilience, he climbed from 20th to fifth in just 24 laps.
Even so, he was hit with another five-place grid penalty for the main race after Mercedes fitted a new engine. Undeterred, Hamilton delivered a sensational drive, storming to victory by over ten seconds ahead of Max Verstappen. He followed that up with wins in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, taking the title battle to the dramatic final round in Abu Dhabi — where he ultimately missed out on a record eighth championship amid controversy that prompted an FIA investigation.
Now at 40, Hamilton’s focus is on closing out his maiden campaign with Ferrari on a positive note. His last podium came at the Las Vegas Grand Prix last year, while his most recent race win dates back to the Belgian Grand Prix.
His recent struggles have sparked debate over whether he still possesses his former edge. Former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone told sport.de, via PlanetF1, that while Hamilton remains “one of the best of the last ten years,” he’s “not the best.” Ecclestone went further, calling Hamilton’s partnership with Ferrari a “financial marketing project.”
Although Ferrari is reportedly unlikely to extend his deal beyond 2026, Hamilton’s current contract runs through the end of next season. Despite trailing teammate Charles Leclerc by 64 points, the Briton still has time to remind the world why he’s regarded as one of Formula 1’s all-time greats.
