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Lewis Hamilton has "no regrets" about joining Ferrari, retracts 2026 comments

Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton says he has "no regrets" over joining Ferrari, despite his season hitting a new low in Las Vegas, and has walked back comments that he is "not looking forward" to 2026.

Hamilton qualified last in a wet Q1 session in Las Vegas, a first for him, and after climbing to a lowly 10th in the race he said he felt "terrible", adding that it's been "the worst season ever and no matter how much I try, it just keeps getting worse."

He also said he was "not looking forward" to 2026, when F1 shifts away from the current ground-effect cars that Hamilton hasn't gotten along with.

However, when speaking ahead of this weekend's Qatar Grand Prix, Hamilton backtracked from comments he made in the heat of the moment.

"I'd be surprised if the other drivers are excited about next year at the end of a season - because you usually don't have a lot of energy at the end of a season," He said. "Looking forward to time with family and stuff. 

"Look, that's just in the heat of frustration. Often there's a lot of frustration at the end of races, but particularly when they haven't gone well. So no, I'm excited to see what the team build next year and to continue to build on with them.

Hamilton, who is yet to score a podium with his new employer, added: "I gelled in the team, there's amazing passion within the team and there's a good focus for next year."

Asked if there was any regret about leaving Mercedes for Ferrari and signing a long-term contract at Maranello, the 40-year-old replied: "I don't regret the decision I made joining the team. I know it takes time to build and grow within an organisation, and I expected that."

Photos from Qatar GP - Thursday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Qatar GP - Thursday, in photos

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Qatar GP - Thursday, in photos

Scuderia Ferrari pit crew practice

Qatar GP - Thursday, in photos

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Qatar GP - Thursday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Qatar GP - Thursday, in photos

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Qatar GP - Thursday, in photos

Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari

Qatar GP - Thursday, in photos

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Qatar GP - Thursday, in photos

Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team

Qatar GP - Thursday, in photos

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Qatar GP - Thursday, in photos

A general view of the Paddock

Qatar GP - Thursday, in photos

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Qatar GP - Thursday, in photos

Scuderia Ferrari pit crew practice

Qatar GP - Thursday, in photos

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Qatar GP - Thursday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Qatar GP - Thursday, in photos

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber

Qatar GP - Thursday, in photos

Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber

Qatar GP - Thursday, in photos

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Qatar GP - Thursday, in photos

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Qatar GP - Thursday, in photos

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Qatar GP - Thursday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren

Qatar GP - Thursday, in photos

Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team

Qatar GP - Thursday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Qatar GP - Thursday, in photos

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Qatar GP - Thursday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Qatar GP - Thursday, in photos

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Qatar GP - Thursday, in photos

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Qatar GP - Thursday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Qatar GP - Thursday, in photos

George Russell, Mercedes

Qatar GP - Thursday, in photos

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Qatar GP - Thursday, in photos

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Qatar GP - Thursday, in photos

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Qatar GP - Thursday, in photos

Formula 1
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