HAMILTON'S AT A CROSSROADS

Seven world titles, but Brit admits this season will be 'painful... turning his Ferrari nightmare back into cherished dream is biggest test yet

- BY DANIEL MOXON

ALL Lewis Hamilton could do was shake his head as he studied the timing screens, the look of disbelief at the size of the gap to those ahead said it all.

Seventh on the grid after qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is not what the seven-time Formula One champion came to Ferrari for.

He was almost a full second slower around the Jeddah Corniche Circuit than Max Verstappen on pole and the following day was no better.

While team-mate Charles Leclerc secured Ferrari's first podium of 2025 by continuing his steady improvement, Hamilton stayed rooted in seventh place.

"It's going to be painful," he said, referring to the rest of his first season with the Scuderia.

Was he already writing off the year after just five rounds of a 24-event season?

It certainly sounded like it.

Hamilton scored 31 points in those five grands prix and one sprint race. Championship leader Oscar Piastri has 99 already.