Lewis Hamilton experienced an unparalleled Formula 1 debacle at the Qatar Grand Prix: the record champion was eliminated in the first lap of qualifying and missed the points on race Sunday. RTL expert Christian Danner still finds admiring words for Hamilton.
Lewis Hamilton’s debut season in 2025 is paved with many disappointments and few highlights. But what the 40-year-old experienced in Qatar can easily be classified as a low point.
In qualifying it was over in Q1, in the race Hamilton only managed twelfth place – a zero number in every respect. A few weeks ago there was still a smell of a breakthrough in Mexico City.
In the time hunt in Mexico, Hamilton sensationally raced to third place in the SF-25, driving at the same level as Ferrari stable rival Charles Leclerc.
Afterwards he talked about finally understanding the car. The hoped-for upswing failed to materialize: in Brazil and Las Vegas, Hamilton was once again hopelessly chugging along.
“It’s of course an endless story, but one thing has to be said: it’s an absolute disaster,” commented Christian Danner on RTL/ntv and sport.de Hamilton’s first season with the Reds.
“The way Hamilton fits into the team and how he copes with what is available to him is somehow not worthy of his level,” said the RTL expert.
Formula 1: RTL expert Danner praises “fighter” Hamilton
The fact that the Briton is already focusing on 2025 “and hopes to rehabilitate himself speaks for him,” but Danner praised Hamilton’s mentality. “He’s a fighter, he doesn’t give up. That’s why there’s only one thing for him: check it out, put your head down, keep going!”
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After 23 of 24 Grand Prix weekends, Hamilton is only in sixth place in the Drivers’ World Championship, 78 points behind his garage neighbor Leclerc in fifth place. So far, the Englishman hasn’t even managed to get on the podium with Ferrari.