Lewis Hamilton‘s move to Ferrari, which started as the realization of a childhood dream, is now fraught with challenges, particularly in light of the recent Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Sky F1 pundit Karun Chandhok labeled Hamilton as the “oops of the weekend,” drawing ire from Hamilton’s ardent supporters. This blunt assessment highlighted Hamilton’s struggle to outperform his teammate, Charles Leclerc, as he finished significantly behind in the 2025 Formula 1 season.
The issues Hamilton faces are compounded by his difficulty in adapting to the Ferrari car, marked by statements that suggest an impending “painful” season and a need for a “brain transplant” to comprehend the dynamics of his new team. Despite securing his first victory at the China Sprint, Hamilton’s inability to finish ahead in a grand prix beside Leclerc, combined with sizable lap deficits in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, raises concerns about the partnership’s potential.
Karun Chandhok, a former Hispania and Lotus F1 driver, remarked on Hamilton’s performance post-Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, noting that Hamilton was significantly off Leclerc’s pace. “Oops of the weekend? I’m going to have to say Lewis Hamilton,” he stated. “He was a long way off Charles Leclerc all weekend long.” The gap of six-tenths in qualifying and 31 seconds in a 50-lap race underscored the depth of Hamilton’s performance gap.
Following Chandhok’s comments, Hamilton’s fans swiftly expressed their displeasure. Chandhok noted, “They’re all very upset with me this week because I said he was the ‘oops’ of the weekend on our Sky social media channels. I’m getting a lot of upset Team LH people.”
Meanwhile, fellow Sky F1 analyst Martin Brundle expressed concern about Hamilton’s demeanor and racing form. “Hamilton would finish half a minute behind his team-mate Leclerc in seventh,” Brundle wrote. Despite moments of strong pace, Hamilton’s visible frustration during post-race interviews highlighted his current struggle. “He’s not happy with his performances and is clearly more than a little perplexed and disappointed,” Brundle added.
Currently positioned 7th in the Drivers’ Championship standings, Hamilton trails Leclerc by 16 points. The enduring struggle to align with Ferrari’s dynamics not only tests Hamilton’s patience but also prompts speculation about his F1 future. Insiders speculate on the potential of a sudden retirement if the situation doesn’t improve.
The unfolding season poses a formidable challenge for Hamilton, both in terms of performance and emotional resilience. With Hamilton openly expressing frustration and uncertainty, the next races will be crucial in determining whether he can overcome these early hurdles with Ferrari. The outcome of this transition remains pivotal, not only for Hamilton’s career but also for the future dynamics of Ferrari within Formula 1.
