The Las Vegas Grand Prix corner that proved Lewis Hamilton is no longer a top F1 driver

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Lewis Hamilton is still a great driver, but he’s no longer one of the best on the Formula 1 grid. This was demonstrated once again at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Hamilton became the first Ferrari driver to qualify last since Giancarlo Fisichella in 2009 after mistakenly backing off at the end of Q1. It was doubtful whether he had the pace to progress even if he had continued pushing.

In the race, the seven-time world champion made an excellent start, climbing to 13th, but his race rather stalled thereafter. He eventually crossed the line 10th, which became eighth when the two McLaren drivers were disqualified.

Speaking after the race, Hamilton called 2025 ‘the worst season ever’ and said his performances ‘keep getting worse’ no matter what he tries.

Lewis Hamilton’s error when chasing Esteban Ocon shows he’s lost his edge

Hamilton found himself behind the Haas of Esteban Ocon after gaining places at the start. But he wouldn’t pass the Frenchman until lap 20.

He had a chance to overtake Ocon on lap four when he activated DRS on the Strip. However, Hamilton went deep into turn 14 and allowed him to escape down the road.

It’s moments like this that show Hamilton has lost his edge. The best operators on the grid would have dispatched Ocon quickly in a much quicker car.

At risk of falling to seventh in the championship after Kimi Antonelli’s second consecutive podium, Hamilton has lost out to Charles Leclerc in 17 out of 22 qualifying sessions and 16 of the 19 races both drivers have finished.

‘Aggressive’ Charles Leclerc shows Lewis Hamilton how it’s done

Leclerc started the Las Vegas Grand Prix in ninth but was ultimately classified fourth. He passed the other Haas of Oliver Bearman much more efficiently, and also left Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) and Carlos Sainz (Williams) behind.

Speaking on De Telegraaf’s podcast, Christijan Albers said Leclerc was more clinical than the current version of Hamilton.

“He has a lot of trouble getting past,” Albers explained. “It’s not too easy to pass, but he loses a lot of time.

“You see that Leclerc is very aggressive, attacks immediately and pursues. He has much more awareness about the fact that, the longer you drive behind someone with dirty air, the more problems you’re going to have.

“You just have to have that attack. Max has that too. He just knows that you have one chance, and after two, three laps, you’re going to have a problem.”

Hamilton isn’t planning to walk away from F1, but the very fact that the question was asked highlights just how bleak his demeanour has become.

Indeed, David Coulthard called it ’embarrassing’ for Hamilton to be P20 in qualifying given what he and Ferrari have achieved in the sport.