Hamilton ‘hopes and prays’ for some Silverstone magic

If you’d told Lewis Hamilton four months ago, amid the hoopla of Formula One’s biggest-ever driver move, that he would be “hoping and praying” for a strong result at his beloved Silverstone, he’d likely have laughed you out of the room. Either that or he’d have rolled his eyes. Take your pick.

- KIERAN JACKSON

After all, this was the seven-time F1 world champion moving to the fabled Ferrari. A driver in need of rejuvenation after three years of frustration at Mercedes was joining a team seemingly on the up, having come within a whisker of last year’s constructors’ title. Everything seemed perfectly aligned. With the whole world watching, what could possibly go wrong?

Well, come race 12 and the halfway stage of the 2025 season, the answer is unavoidable: pretty much everything.

It has been an eyeopening, gut-wrenching opening salvo for the 40-year-old in red. From amateurish radio communications and irritation in the rain of Australia in round one to an overwhelming lack of car performance throughout, Hamilton has endured his worst-ever start to an F1 season. Even for the greatest of pessimists, this was not in the forecast.

Eleven races, zero podiums. Sixth in the world championship, closer to the bottom of the standings than the top. Never mind winning, Hamilton is now on the longest podium-less streak of his career, at 13, stretching back to Las Vegas last November.

As ever, it makes this weekend’s British Grand Prix a significant marker in his season. A venue he has won at nine times, and been on the podium for 11 consecutive years, represents Hamilton's best chance to smell the Moet & Chandon champagne once more.

HAMILTON'S FIRST 11 RACES IN 2025

• Sixth in the championship standings - 91 points

• 28 points and one place behind teammate Charles Leclerc (three podiums to zero)

• Leclerc 9-4 Hamilton in qualifying; average advantage of 0.151 seconds

• Zero podiums