LAS VEGAS -- Lewis Hamilton labelled 2025 his worst season in Formula 1 after finishing 10th from the back of the grid at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Hamilton's disappointing first season with Ferrari continued in Sin City, where the seven-time world champion qualified last on merit for the first time in his illustrious career.
The British driver managed to recover to 10th, enough for a single point, on Saturday evening, but was despondent about the performance when facing the media.
"Terrible," was Hamilton's assessment of his performance to Sky Sports F1. "It's been the worst season ever. No matter how much I try it keeps getting worse."
When asked what he was trying to turn things around, he said: "Trying everything, in and out of the car."
Statistically it is one of his worst -- he is currently sixth in the championship, although he finished seventh in his final year with Mercedes last season, but did claim two race wins in 2024.
This year looks set to be his third winless season in four years -- before that, he had scored at least one victory for 15 straight seasons stretching back to his rookie 2007 campaign.
Hamilton's move to Ferrari was the talking point of 2025's pre-season but the hype quickly fizzled out as driver and team failed to compete up front.
Hamilton claimed sprint pole and sprint victory in China at the start of the year but has not scored a pole position or been on the podium at a grand prix this year.
Speaking to the written media shortly afterwards his TV interview, the 40-year-old was asked if he can take any satisfaction from scoring a point.
"Zero," he replied. "I made up 10 places but it doesn't mean anything. It is still a bad weekend."
Hamilton is 73 points behind teammate Charles Leclerc. Ferrari have slipped to fourth in the constructors' standings and when asked if the Italian team can clear Mercedes and Red Bull to rescue a runner-up spot in the team championship, a dejected Hamilton said: "I don't know how many points we have. But at this rate, with my performance, we don't [have a chance].
"I have had 22 bad weekends [this season] so I anticipate another couple," he added.
Prior to Las Vegas, Hamilton said his first season in red had been a "nightmare" after he qualified 12th in Brazil and then retired from the race following an opening-lap collision with Franco Colapinto.
He memorably labelled himself "useless" after the Hungarian Grand Prix mid-way through the year and suggested Ferrari should change driver.
Ferrari chairman John Elkann urged the seven-time world champion to "talk less and focus more on his driving."
His deal with Ferrari is believed to run until at least the end of 2026, although Hamilton has recently suggested he has a contract which will run beyond that.
Additional reporting by ESPN's Nate Saunders and PA news agency.