David Croft picks one-race wonder as his ‘biggest disappointment’ of the 2025 Formula 1 season

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Lewis Hamilton is getting closer to a first-ever Formula 1 season without a podium finish. He hasn’t managed any in his first 18 starts for Ferrari.

Ferrari as a collective have fallen well below expectations. Having set their sights on winning both titles, they’re over 350 points behind the newly-crowned McLaren and 163 off drivers’ standings leader Oscar Piastri (through Charles Leclerc).

Hamilton has had winless seasons before (2022, 2023), but he’s always scored at least five podiums. Leclerc has been responsible for all of Ferrari’s top-three finishes so far.

F1’s most successful driver even suggested that he should be replaced at his lowest moment of the season so far in Hungary. His contract still runs until at least the end of 2026.

David Croft says Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari have been the ‘biggest disappointment’ of 2025

Speaking during FP1 at the United States Grand Prix, Sky Sports commentator David Croft called Hamilton the ‘biggest disappointment’ of 2025.

This was surely the most publicised driver transfer in the sport’s history given the stature of those involved. Croft thought it would be ‘brilliant’.

• READ MORE: George Russell unsure if Lewis Hamilton appreciates ‘what he’s achieved’ after what he saw at Mercedes

Hamilton stoked the excitement by converting pole on just his second start in the Shanghai Sprint. But he hasn’t finished higher than fourth in any format since.

“It is the biggest disappointment of this season,” said Croft. “Lewis has finally joined up with Ferrari, the stars align, it should be brilliant. It was – for a Sprint race in China, and since then, he’s not had a top-three finish.”

Jenson Button defends Lewis Hamilton – ‘when you look at the last few races’

Joining Croft in the commentary box, Hamilton’s former teammate Jenson Button offered a more positive take. He acknowledged that Hamilton was simply ‘lacking pace’ earlier in the season.

But he’s seen progress from his compatriot since the summer break, particularly in the races. Hamilton and Leclerc have been within two places of one another in every competitive session over the past three weekends.

“He definitely went through a period where he was lacking pace compared to Charles,” Button said. “When you look at the last few races since the summer break, he’s been there – maybe not in qualifying so much, but in race pace and performance, he’s there.”

Leclerc leads Hamilton 13-3 in the Ferrari teammate battle, accounting for the races that both have finished. It’s 13-5 to the Monegasque on a Saturday.