The British motorsport legend is still awaiting his first podium for Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton said he feels “terrible” amid what he has described as the worst season of his Formula One career.

Hamilton’s nightmare debut campaign for Ferrari hit rock bottom in Las Vegas after he qualified 20th and last.

 

He had progressed to 10th by the end of the race, but subsequently upgraded to eighth following the disqualifications of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

Still, the British legend crossed the line nearly a minute behind winner Max Verstappen.

Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton said he feels ‘terrible’ amid what he has described as the worst season of his Formula One career | GETTY

“I feel terrible,” Hamilton told Sky Sports. “Terrible.

“It has been the worst season ever, and no matter how much I try it keeps going worse.

“I am trying everything in and out of the car.”

Speaking to the press shortly afterwards, the 40-year-old was asked whether he could take any satisfaction from scoring a point.

He replied: “Zero.”

“I made up 10 places but it doesn’t mean anything. It is still a bad weekend.”

Hamilton is 74 points behind team-mate Charles Leclerc.

He is still awaiting his first podium for Ferrari, with only two races of the 24-round season remaining.

Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton’s nightmare debut campaign for Ferrari hit rock bottom in Las Vegas after he qualified 20th and last | GETTY

Ferrari has also slipped to fourth in the constructors’ standings.

When asked if the Italian team can clear Mercedes and Red Bull to rescue a runner-up spot in the team championship, a dejected Hamilton added: “I don’t know how many points we have. But at this rate, with my performance, we don’t (have a chance).

“I have had 22 bad weekends (this season) so I anticipate another couple.”

Prior to Las Vegas, Hamilton said his first season in red had been a “nightmare”.

Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton said his first season in red had been a ‘nightmare’| GETTY

He qualified 12th in Brazil and then retired from the race following an opening-lap collision with Franco Colapinto.

Ferrari chairman John Elkann urged the seven-time world champion to “talk less and focus more on his driving”.

Verstappen delivered a commanding performance at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, securing victory by almost 20 seconds over championship leader Norris.

McLaren drivers Norris and Oscar Piastri were both disqualified from the race for excessive skid-block wear.