Lewis Hamilton buys Christmas gifts for Ferrari staff after difficult season

December 24, 2025 Oliver Obel

As Ferrari’s factory wound down for the holidays, Lewis Hamilton marked the end of his first season with the team in a personal way, offering a Christmas gift to every member of the Scuderia Ferrari workforce.

According to The Sun, Hamilton arranged for each staff member to receive a Fortnum & Mason gift box containing English breakfast tea, lemon curd cookies, tea biscuits and Neapolitan chocolates. The package was also reported to include a signed photograph and a handwritten message reading: “Happy Holidays, From Lewis.”

The gesture came after a year that unfolded far differently from what many expected when Hamilton made his highly anticipated move to Ferrari.

High expectations, difficult reality

When the seven-time world champion arrived at Maranello ahead of the 2025 season, there was widespread belief he could help accelerate Ferrari’s return to championship contention. A Sprint victory in China early in the year appeared to support that optimism.

But as the season progressed, consistency proved elusive. Hamilton faced a steep adjustment to Ferrari’s car characteristics and operational environment after more than a decade at Mercedes, and results began to tail off.

He ultimately finished sixth in the drivers’ standings with 156 points. By comparison, teammate Charles Leclerc ended the year fifth on 242 points, highlighting the internal gap that developed across the campaign.

A frustrating finish

The closing phase of the season was particularly testing. Hamilton suffered three consecutive Q1 eliminations, an uncharacteristic run for a driver of his experience and pedigree.

After the final race, he acknowledged that he was ready for the winter break, bringing an end to a debut Ferrari season that had been widely described in the media as one of the most challenging of his career. The struggles also prompted speculation about how long he might continue in Formula 1.

Verstappen weighs in

Among those to comment was four-time world champion Max Verstappen, who suggested Hamilton’s difficulties would not lead him to walk away from the sport.

“It has obviously not been a nice season for him at Ferrari. You notice that in everything, including the onboard radio,” Verstappen said. “I have to tell you, it really hurts to see him like that. For me, too, to be honest. I don’t like seeing that.

“Stopping, I don’t know, because I don’t think he’s giving up. Lewis will definitely be there. If you don’t feel secure or comfortable within the team dynamic you cannot be yourself and that has an impact. You leave a team that has been your second family in Mercedes and you have built up such a career with them.”

Verstappen added that the challenge was compounded by Hamilton joining a team where Leclerc was already well established, calling the situation “very tough”.

For now, Hamilton’s Christmas gesture offered a reminder that, despite the on-track frustrations, his commitment to Ferrari’s people remains intact heading into the winter break.

Sources: The Sun