Lewis Hamilton finished his first season with Ferrari in 2025 calling it a “nightmare” and the worst year of his Formula 1 career. For the first time in 19 seasons he failed to score a podium, and the emotional toll was clear as he spoke of anger, exhaustion, and a desire to disconnect completely over the winter. The move to Ferrari had begun with huge optimism, pairing the sport’s most successful driver with its most iconic team in pursuit of an eighth world title, but that promise quickly faded.

Ferrari’s car proved difficult and inconsistent, particularly due to skid wear problems that forced performance-limiting compromises. Although Hamilton won a sprint race in China, repeated technical issues and strategic limitations undermined race pace across the season. He struggled more than team-mate Charles Leclerc, who consistently out-qualified him and finished 86 points ahead, leading to unusually self-critical public comments from Hamilton. Team principal Frederic Vasseur downplayed these remarks as emotional reactions in an exceptionally tight field.

Ferrari’s first winless season since 2021 intensified scrutiny, and chairman John Elkann urged the drivers to focus more on driving and less on public commentary. Despite his frustrations, Hamilton insists he remains motivated, believing the sweeping rule changes coming in 2026 could reset the competitive order. Whether his struggles reflect car characteristics, team issues, or the effects of age remains uncertain, but his attempt to rebound next season is set to be one of F1’s defining stories.

The 2025 F1 World Championship was a season defined by tight competition and consistent performance. Lando Norris secured his first world championship at the final round in Abu Dhabi, finishing third in the race to edge Max Verstappen by just two points, ending the season with 423 to Verstappen’s 421. It was the closest title battle in years, with every race contributing to the final outcome.

The season highlighted the strength of McLaren as a team. Both Norris and his teammate Oscar Piastri claimed seven victories each, showing that success was shared and not dominated by a single driver. Piastri finished third overall, 13 points behind Norris, while Verstappen, despite eight wins, narrowly missed out on the championship. McLaren also secured the Constructors’ Championship, marking a return to the top after several seasons of near-misses.

What set this season apart was the consistency and strategic racing that defined the title fight. While individual race wins were important, it was the accumulation of points across the season, and the ability to avoid costly mistakes, that ultimately determined the champion. The competitiveness of the field, with multiple teams and drivers capable of winning races, made the championship unpredictable and engaging throughout the year.

For fans, 2025 will be remembered for its close margins and the way the championship was decided in the final race. Norris’s calm and precise driving under pressure contrasted with the aggressive style of his rivals, demonstrating that composure across a season is just as important as outright speed. The season also reinforced the idea that the F1 grid remains highly competitive, with multiple teams capable of challenging for both race wins and championships. Overall, the 2025 season combined excitement, strategy, and tight racing, providing a clear example of why Formula 1 continues to captivate audiences worldwide.