Lewis Hamilton’s turbulent debut season with Ferrari went from bad to worse at the 2025 Italian Grand Prix, as both he and teammate Charles Leclerc were eliminated early during qualifying at Monza — Ferrari’s iconic home track. The seven-time world champion called the result “gutting,” as fans were left stunned by the team’s continued struggles amid growing pressure.

Early Exit Shocks Ferrari Faithful

Expectations were sky-high as Ferrari returned to Monza, where passionate Tifosi filled the stands in red. But the weekend took a dramatic downturn in Q1 when both Hamilton and Leclerc failed to make it into Q2, finishing P17 and P16 respectively. It marks Hamilton’s third consecutive early qualifying exit and adds to what has become a disappointing and frustrating campaign.

Speaking to reporters afterward, Hamilton didn’t hide his frustration:

“It’s gutting. I came here with high hopes — it’s Ferrari’s home race, the energy is incredible — and to be out in Q1 is incredibly hard to take. We just didn’t have the grip, didn’t have the pace, and we’re left trying to find answers.”

A Season of Struggles Continues

Hamilton’s move to Ferrari for the 2025 season was one of the most talked-about transfers in Formula 1 history, but the performance has not lived up to expectations. Despite his championship pedigree, Hamilton has struggled to adapt to Ferrari’s inconsistent car, which has been plagued by balance issues, poor tire management, and lackluster qualifying performance.

Charles Leclerc, who has spent years with the Scuderia, echoed Hamilton’s concerns:

“We’re not where we need to be. It hurts even more at Monza, in front of our fans. We’re all disappointed.”

Ferrari’s Troubles Mount

Ferrari’s technical team has come under fire in recent weeks, as upgrades introduced during the European swing have failed to deliver results. Analysts believe the team may have misunderstood aerodynamic changes or introduced setups that worsened straight-line speed — a crucial factor at Monza.

Sky Sports F1’s Karun Chandhok noted:

“There’s a clear disconnect between what Ferrari is developing and what the drivers need. You can see the frustration building.”

Hope Fading — or Fuel for a Comeback?

Despite the qualifying disaster, Hamilton remains determined:

“We have to keep fighting. I’m not giving up — this is a long-term project, and I still believe we can turn this around.”

Ferrari fans will now look ahead to Sunday’s race, hoping that strategy and race pace can recover what qualifying lost — though a podium seems unlikely from the back of the grid.