The world of Formula 1 is never short of drama, tension, and the occasional glimmer of hope for those who have struggled. As the 2025 season races toward its conclusion, the spotlight is once again on Lewis Hamilton—a name synonymous with F1 greatness. Yet, this year, the seven-time world champion finds himself in unfamiliar territory. Despite joining Ferrari with sky-high expectations after a storied career at Mercedes, Hamilton has not made it to the podium in his first 18 races for the Scuderia. It’s a statistic that would have seemed unthinkable not long ago.
But in the ever-evolving world of Formula 1, fortunes can change in the blink of an eye—or with the turn of a regulation book. Flavio Briatore, a seasoned figure in the paddock and now executive advisor at Alpine, isn’t counting Hamilton out. Speaking on La Politica nel Pallone on Radio Rai, Briatore offered a bold prediction: "Sooner or later, he’ll solve the problems. He’s a very good person but F1 is very complicated today, with seven cars within two tenths of a second. This year, the only truly competitive team is McLaren. Next year, everything will change, and we’ll [Alpine will] be fighting for the podium too. You’ll see, with the new cars, Hamilton will be back in the fight for victory. He’s always great."
Briatore’s confidence isn’t just idle chatter. Having been Renault’s boss when Hamilton made his F1 debut with McLaren in 2007, Briatore knows a thing or two about what it takes to succeed at the top level. His long-standing rivalry and relationship with Hamilton’s former adversary, Fernando Alonso, only adds weight to his words.
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was meant to be a crowning chapter in an already legendary career. Yet, the 40-year-old Briton has faced a challenging transition. The car has lacked pace, and the fierce intra-team competition with Charles Leclerc has left Hamilton currently sixth in the drivers’ standings—48 points behind his teammate. For a man who has never gone a whole season without a podium in his 18-year career, this campaign has been a test of patience and resolve.
Still, even amid the struggles, Hamilton managed to etch his name in the record books once more, surpassing a milestone previously held by Michael Schumacher. The specifics of the record may not be as headline-grabbing as a race win, but it’s a testament to Hamilton’s enduring class and consistency at the highest level.
Ferrari themselves are facing a drought. Not since 2021 have the Prancing Horses gone a season without a victory, and while Leclerc has managed five podiums this year, the top step has eluded both drivers. The pressure is mounting, but hope springs eternal in Formula 1, especially with sweeping technical changes on the horizon in 2026.
Briatore’s optimism is rooted in the sport’s cyclical nature. Regulation changes have a way of shuffling the pecking order, and the Italian believes that both Ferrari and Alpine could find themselves in a much stronger position. "With the new cars, Hamilton will be back in the fight for victory," Briatore reiterated, casting his gaze firmly toward the future.
While Hamilton’s story has captivated fans and pundits alike, McLaren have been quietly—and not so quietly—making history of their own. The team clinched their second consecutive Constructors’ Championship at the Singapore Grand Prix on October 5, 2025. The achievement was marked by a jubilant celebration at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, where CEO Zak Brown and team principal Andrea Stella delivered rousing speeches. Both drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, took to the stage to share their thoughts, even as the shadow of recent on-track clashes hung in the air.
The Singapore GP itself was a microcosm of McLaren’s season: high stakes, high drama, and just a touch of internal friction. At the race’s start, Norris unintentionally tagged Piastri, causing the Australian to lose position and ultimately finish behind his teammate. Unlike their previous dust-up at Monza, McLaren opted not to impose team orders, letting the duo race each other freely. The decision spoke volumes about the team’s trust in its drivers and their willingness to let them settle matters on the track.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing, though. Piastri appeared visibly frustrated in the post-race interviews, his disappointment palpable. Still, the tension seemed to dissipate as the team’s championship triumph took center stage. Both Norris and Piastri have since put aside their differences—at least for now—in the interest of McLaren’s continued success.
McLaren’s back-to-back Constructors’ titles are a testament to their resurgence in the hybrid era. After years in the wilderness, the team from Woking has returned to the sport’s summit, powered by a blend of youthful exuberance and technical excellence. Their willingness to let their drivers race, even when tempers flare, has earned them admiration across the paddock.
Meanwhile, Alpine’s fortunes have been less rosy. Despite Briatore’s return to the fold last year, the team has struggled to make an impact. Alpine currently sits at the bottom of the constructors’ standings with just 20 points. Franco Colapinto, who replaced Jack Doohan as Pierre Gasly’s teammate in May, has yet to score a point, and speculation is mounting about his future, with reserve driver Paul Aron reportedly in contention for a race seat in 2026.
As the F1 circus prepares for its next stop at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas (October 17-19, 2025), the storylines are as compelling as ever. Will Hamilton finally break his podium drought before the season ends? Can McLaren keep their momentum rolling into the new era? And will Alpine’s gamble on Briatore and a new driver lineup pay off when the regulations reset the playing field?
One thing’s for sure: Formula 1 thrives on uncertainty, rivalry, and the relentless pursuit of glory. With giants like Hamilton waiting in the wings for another shot at victory, and teams like McLaren rewriting their own histories, the sport’s next chapter is shaping up to be as unpredictable as ever. The paddock is buzzing, the fans are watching, and the engines are ready to roar once more.
As the 2025 season winds down and the anticipation for 2026 builds, all eyes remain on the grid’s biggest names and boldest teams. Change is coming—and for some, redemption may be just around the corner.
