After what many fans described as a “disastrous” debut season with Scuderia Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton has spoken openly about the challenges he faced in 2025 — and the personal reflection that followed.

The seven-time world champion admitted that the winter break forced him to look inward and evaluate what he needed to change ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season.

For Hamilton, the process wasn’t just technical. It was deeply personal.

A Dream Move That Turned Into a Tough Season

Hamilton’s switch from Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team to Ferrari in 2025 was one of the most talked-about moves in modern Formula 1.

Many believed the partnership could help Hamilton achieve a historic eighth world championship.

But the reality proved far more complicated.

Ferrari’s SF-25 struggled to compete at the very front of the grid, and Hamilton found it difficult to adapt to the team’s car and systems.

Meanwhile, teammate Charles Leclerc managed to extract strong performances, securing six podium finishes during the season.

Hamilton, by contrast, did not reach the podium once.

One Brief Moment of Hope

There was one moment that briefly raised expectations.

Hamilton won the Chinese Grand Prix Sprint, offering a glimpse of what might have been possible.

But that result proved to be a false dawn.

Over the remainder of the season, Hamilton struggled for consistency and finished sixth in the championship with 156 points, 86 points behind Leclerc.

The Hard Questions Hamilton Asked Himself

Speaking to the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Hamilton admitted he took responsibility for the disappointing season.

Rather than blaming the car or the team, he focused on self-reflection.

“It’s about analysing where you are, setting goals and finding a way to achieve them,” Hamilton explained.

He said he asked himself a series of difficult questions during the off-season:

• Am I doing enough?

• Can I be better?

• Can I change my approach?

• Can I be kinder and more effective with the people around me?

According to Hamilton, confronting those questions helped him rediscover clarity and motivation.

Rediscovering the Joy of Racing

Hamilton also suggested that the emotional weight of joining Ferrari may have affected him during his first season.

Ferrari is not just another team in Formula 1 — it is one of the sport’s most iconic institutions, followed passionately by millions of fans around the world.

The pressure, he said, can become overwhelming.

“When responsibility weighs you down, you risk losing not only yourself but also the fun,” Hamilton said.

He described 2026 — the Year of the Fire Horse in the Chinese zodiac — as a symbolic fresh start.

When Ferrari revealed the new car, Hamilton said he felt excitement again.

“I felt as happy as a child.”

A New Ferrari Car With Hamilton’s Influence

One key difference for 2026 is Hamilton’s involvement in the development of Ferrari’s new car.

Unlike the SF-25 — which he joined after it had already been designed — the upcoming car has benefited from his input for more than a year.

“I’ve been working on the 2026 car for 14 months with the engineers and on the simulator,” he said.

“This car has a bit of my DNA in it.”

Ferrari also confirmed changes to Hamilton’s race-engineering team, with Riccardo Adami moved to another role and a new engineer expected to work with Hamilton during the upcoming season.

Respect for Teammate Charles Leclerc

Despite competing directly with Charles Leclerc, Hamilton insists he does not view the relationship as a rivalry meant to divide Ferrari fans.

“Ferrari is one thing,” Hamilton said.

He praised Leclerc’s skill and professionalism, calling him a phenomenal driver.

But Hamilton also made clear that he remains determined to fight for victories.

Encouraging Signs in Pre-Season Testing

Ferrari showed promising pace during Bahrain Formula One Pre‑Season Testing, recording the fastest lap time.

While Hamilton warned that testing rarely reveals the true competitive order — because teams hide their fuel loads and strategies — he believes Ferrari now has the ingredients needed to fight at the front.

“After what we went through last year, we can handle any situation,” he said.

Still Motivated After Nearly 20 Years in F1

After nearly two decades in Formula 1, Hamilton says the emotion of racing remains as powerful as ever.

“Only two people in the world drive a Ferrari in F1, and I am one of them.”

For Hamilton, that responsibility is both an honor and a challenge.

And as the 2026 season approaches, he remains convinced that Ferrari can still achieve greatness.