Lewis Hamilton Faces Unprecedented Challenge at Brazilian Grand Prix: Can He Finally Break Ferrari’s Podium Curse?
As the engines rev up for the Brazilian Grand Prix, all eyes are on Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion who is on the brink of achieving something that has eluded him throughout the 2025 season. Despite his illustrious career, Hamilton finds himself in uncharted waters, desperately seeking his first podium finish with Ferrari after an agonizing 19-race drought. The stakes are high, and the pressure is palpable as he heads into a race where history could be made.
Hamilton’s struggle to find the podium has been well-documented, particularly after he shattered a 43-year-old record previously held by Didier Pironi at the U.S. Grand Prix. With 19 consecutive races without a top-three finish, the legendary driver now has the dubious honor of holding the longest podium-less streak in Ferrari history—a feat no one expected him to achieve. The situation reached a fever pitch in Mexico, where Hamilton qualified third, only to see his hopes dashed by a 10-second penalty, relegating him to a disappointing eighth place.
Now, as he approaches the vibrant Interlagos circuit, Hamilton has a golden opportunity to cast aside the shadows of his Ferrari demons. This weekend, he races not just for points but for redemption in front of a raucous Brazilian crowd that has historically adored him—and in a country where he has recently gained citizenship. But can he actually secure a podium finish?
Ferrari has shown a remarkable resurgence in performance during the recent U.S. and Mexican Grands Prix, with teammate Charles Leclerc clinching podiums in both races. Hamilton, adjusting to the nuances of his new team, has been inching closer to that coveted result. In a recent interview, Leclerc hinted at a collective effort behind the scenes that has contributed to their newfound competitiveness, stating, “I don’t think there’s a silver bullet or something that we’ve changed significantly that makes us a lot better now than three, four, five races ago. I think it’s a little bit everywhere.”
Echoing this sentiment, Hamilton remarked after the qualifying session in Mexico, “In terms of the season, I think we’re seeing a lot of progress. Particularly on my side since the summer break. I think there’s been some small tweaks I have had to my approach and to the work that I’m doing. The guys have been making progress. I’ve been feeling much better in the car. And I feel like each weekend is getting better. It’s taken a long time to get to this point. But progress takes time.”
While the Ferrari duo is tight-lipped about the specifics of their recent improvements, the trajectory is promising. If Hamilton can harness this momentum and maintain comfort in the SF-25, the Brazilian GP could be the key to unlocking his long-awaited podium finish. The unpredictability of Interlagos is famous—Hamilton himself knows this all too well, having staged a stunning comeback from 10th to first in the 2021 race, a performance that kept him in championship contention against Max Verstappen.
However, the road ahead isn’t smooth sailing. Hamilton’s path to glory will be fraught with challenges, not least because he’s battling not only the competition but also the demands of a car that is still a work in progress. The weather can be a wild card, as evidenced by Verstappen’s spectacular rise from 17th to victory in last year’s Brazilian GP, a feat fueled by fluctuating rain conditions. The question remains: Can Hamilton channel his legendary wet-weather prowess in the SF-25 to make history at Interlagos?
As the Brazilian Grand Prix looms, one thing is certain: if Hamilton is to break his podium curse with Ferrari this season, Interlagos presents the most realistic opportunity left on the calendar. The countdown is on, and fans around the world are eager to witness whether this racing titan can finally reclaim his place on the podium. Will Hamilton rise to the occasion, or will the Brazilian GP remain another chapter of missed opportunities in his quest for glory with Ferrari? Only time will tell.
