Lewis Hamilton’s debut with Ferrari has been, for the time being, less than impressive. Aside from a single sprint victory, good results have been lacking. Moreover, the Englishman has visibly struggled with his new red car in recent months. Following the Canadian Grand Prix, this resulted in a new, unwanted record; the worst season start of his Formula 1 career is now a fact.
Hamilton finished sixth in the main event in Montreal – another disappointing result, especially considering his rich history at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The Canadian track was the scene of his very first Formula 1 victory, and he would later finish first here six more times. However, his first victory with Ferrari is still pending, let alone a podium finish in red. It is precisely in this area that Hamilton has now reached a new low.
Slowest Season Start Ever?
For the first time in his career, he has failed to finish on the podium within the first ten Grand Prix of a season. In 2009, it took him nine races to reach the podium – a streak he then broke with a victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix. At present, his last podium finish dates back to 2024, when he completed a Mercedes one-two behind race winner George Russell at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. This means that it has been twelve Grand Prix since Hamilton last won a prize. His longest streak without a podium finish is thirteen races, achieved between the São Paulo Grand Prix in 2023 and Spain in 2024.
He could ‘improve’ this negative record at his home race in Great Britain, provided he does not finish on the podium there either. However, it is likely that the 40-year-old driver can pull off a surprise in front of his home crowd. After all, he has an impressive podium streak at Silverstone; with eleven consecutive top-three finishes, he is the absolute record holder there. You read it right – since 2014, Lewis Hamilton has stood on the podium in England every year.
