By Fatma Younis
Lewis Hamilton's high-profile move to Ferrari has backfired spectacularly as his former Mercedes team secured the 2026 Formula 1 world championship with Kimi Antonelli, leaving the seven-time champion to rue a decision that has yielded only a single victory in 43 races.
Hamilton's Departure from Mercedes
Hamilton signed a contract extension with Mercedes in August 2023, having previously declared he would remain with the team until the end of his career. However, after two winless seasons, he lost patience and informed team principal Toto Wolff over breakfast in early 2024 that he was joining Ferrari, seeking a fresh challenge with the sport's most storied outfit.
Struggles at Ferrari
The 2025 season proved to be Hamilton's worst in Formula 1. Ferrari finished fourth in the constructors' standings behind McLaren, Red Bull, and Mercedes, and Hamilton endured his first ever podium-less campaign. A sprint race pole and win in China offered a brief false dawn, but the team could not sustain competitiveness.
Antonelli's Championship Triumph
The 2026 regulation change favored Mercedes' engine power, and Antonelli, 21 years Hamilton's junior, capitalized to claim the drivers' title at the Mexican Grand Prix. Hamilton, who congratulated his former team and race engineer Peter Bonnington, trailed Antonelli by 41 points after securing his sole Ferrari victory at the Spanish Grand Prix in June.
Hamilton's Ferrari Record
Across 43 races with Ferrari, Hamilton has recorded one win, one pole position, and seven podiums. He finished sixth in the 2025 standings and currently sits third in the 2026 championship, a stark contrast to the title contention he might have enjoyed had he remained with Mercedes.
