Lewis Hamilton's challenging first year with Scuderia Ferrari has taken another dramatic turn after the British driver suffered a significant crash during final practice for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
High-Speed Impact at Yas Marina
The seven-time world champion lost control of his scarlet SF-25 car at the high-speed Turn Nine during Saturday's third practice session. The vehicle spun into the barriers at considerable speed, bringing out the red flag and halting the session.
Hamilton, thankfully, emerged unscathed from the incident. The 40-year-old was able to climb from the cockpit and walk away from the scene. In a telling moment, he was seen picking up a piece of his shattered front wing and placing it into the damaged monocoque as he departed.
Technical Worries and Radio Message
Over the team radio, Hamilton relayed a concerning technical explanation to his mechanics. "Something buckled at the front and snapped the the rear," he reported. This comment will prompt immediate investigation from the Ferrari engineering team as they work to repair the car ahead of qualifying.
The crash represents a symbolic new low in what has been a desperately difficult debut season for Hamilton in red. He is yet to secure a single podium finish in 2025 and his recent qualifying form has been particularly poor.
A Season to Forget Before 2026 Reset
Heading into this final race of the 2025 Formula 1 season, Hamilton's struggles are quantified starkly in the standings. He sits sixth overall, a massive 80 points behind his teammate, Charles Leclerc, who has adapted far more successfully to the car.
His recent performances have been hampered by early exits; he was knocked out in the first qualifying session at both of the last two Grands Prix. Despite the annus horribilis, Hamilton remains publicly determined, pinning his hopes on a major comeback next year.
The 2026 season brings sweeping new technical regulations, which Hamilton and Ferrari believe could reset the competitive order and finally allow the legendary driver to fight at the front with the Italian marque.
All attention now turns to whether the Ferrari crew can rebuild his car in time for qualifying at the Yas Marina Circuit, where Hamilton will seek a positive end to a year he will be eager to forget.
