Ahead of Formula 1’s return at the Dutch Grand Prix, Sir Lewis Hamilton has vowed to ‘keep going, even when it’s difficult’ amid speculation surrounding his Ferrari future.
The seven-time world champion left Mercedes to join Ferrari for the 2025 season but the dream move has turned into a nightmare.
A sprint race win in China proved to be a false dawn, with Hamilton struggling to get to grips with his SF-25 car and yet to finish on the podium for his new team.
After 14 races, the 40-year-old is sixth in the standings, 42 points behind teammate Charles Leclerc, who by contrast has five podiums.
While the Brit has endured a rough time since controversially losing the 2021 championship to Max Verstappen, his mood fell to a new low at the last race in Hungary where he called himself ‘useless’ and suggested Ferrari should sack him.
Hamilton is contracted to Ferrari until at least the end of 2026 but former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone believes the British sporting great should consider retiring before things go further south.
But on Monday, with F1’s summer break coming to an end, Hamilton says he is ready to get back behind the wheel and take on whatever challenges lie ahead.
‘I’m always so grateful for this time, for the opportunity to rest and recharge,’ he posted on Instagram.
‘There’s a lot I’ve been meditating on. Every one of us is up against so much, both individually and globally.
‘It’s so important that we embrace the light of truth and love and take care of ourselves so that we can better take care of others.
‘We can’t look away. We have to keep going, even when it’s difficult.’
Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari struggles explained
‘First of all, I don’t think Hamilton is useless!’ six-time race winner Riccardo Patrese, who helped Williams lift the 1992 constructors’ title, told Mega Casino List.
‘For sure he has a bad moment because he’s not providing the performance that he would like to have. But I should say that car probably doesn’t suit his style.
‘From my point of view, Lewis has a problem adapting to the Italian philosophy. He worked for many years with an English team. That can be a little bit different.
‘I hope he can go back to a bit better mood! At the moment, he doesn’t have a good mood, that’s for sure. He’s having a bad period. Whether he has the desire to keep going on, only he knows.
‘Ferrari also has some problems. For many years, they have not been able to provide a winning car like a McLaren at the moment. I think Lewis for Ferrari could be very, very useful because he has a lot of experience working with a winning team and he knows the keys which you need to find a good balance in the team.
‘If I can give him advice I should say, “Don’t be so sad! You proved in the past that you are one of the best Formula One drivers in history. Keep the morale up and work with the team”.’
When is the Dutch Grand Prix and how to watch on TV
The Dutch Grand Prix is being held at the iconic Zandvoort circuit and is round 15 of 24 of the 2025 F1 season.
Oscar Piastri leads the drivers’ championship but is only nine points ahead of McLaren teammate Lando Norris.
The race gets underway on Sunday, August 31 at 2pm UK time.
Every session will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 and you can stream the action live on Sky Go or Now TV. Channel 4 will show highlights at 6.30pm.
Dutch Grand Prix schedule
Friday, August 29
- Practice 1: 11.30am – 12.30pm
- Practice 2: 3pm – 4pm
Saturday, August 30
- Practice 3: 10.30am – 11.30am
- Qualifying: 2pm – 3pm
Sunday, August 31
- Race: 2pm
All UK times
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