Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has spoken out after Lewis Hamilton admitted he was ‘not looking forward’ to the 2026 season following the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Hamilton started in 19th place for the race on Sunday, having initially qualified last in changeable conditions after aborting his final Q1 lap in error.
He crossed the finish line in 10th, but was moved up to eighth following the disqualifications of McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri for excessive plank wear.
It was another difficult Sunday for Hamilton, who initially made up six places on the opening lap after avoiding a series of incidents at turn one.
But he struggled to overtake the Haas of Esteban Ocon in his first stint on the hard tyres, and made no ground on the cars ahead of him after pitting for the medium tyres.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1’s Rachel Brookes after the race, Hamilton said: “I feel terrible. Terrible.
“It’s been the worst season ever, and no matter how much I try, it keeps on getting worse. I’m trying everything, in and out of the car.”
In a separate interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, he added: “There is nothing positive to take from today. I’m eager for it [this season] to end, I’m looking forward to ending.
“I’m not looking forward to the next one. Next season.”
That remark will no doubt be of concern to fans of the seven-time world champion, given the fundamental issues that have affected the 2025 Ferrari and the hope that, with new regulations being introduced, the Scuderia would be in a better position to challenge in 2026.
His claim arrives just a week after Ferrari chairman John Elkann told his drivers to ‘focus on driving and talk less‘.
Both Ferraris failed to finish the Brazilian Grand Prix, with Hamilton incurring significant floor damage after hitting the back of Franco Colapinto on lap one, and Charles Leclerc being collected following the collision between Kimi Antonelli and Oscar Piastri.
Leclerc himself struggled in qualifying in Vegas, only qualifying ninth, but had a stronger race and finished in fourth.
Addressing Hamilton’s latest remarks directly, team principal Vasseur stated: “Let’s all calm down. To jump out of the car and to make the first comment, it’s always a bit too much, and let’s discuss after the debrief.
“Obviously it’s been tough for Lewis the last couple of weekends, and he said it’s been hard.
“I can understand the reaction from Lewis just after the race, but we just have to calm down to discuss and be focused on the next two [races], because the next two we will be back.
“And keep in mind also that Lewis was there in FP1, in FP2 the pace was good, and it means that we have to build up the weekend like this and for sure to start from P20 is not the best way to have a good result.”
