Hamilton's New Year Letter Signals a Reset After Tough Ferrari Debut

Lewis Hamilton has released a New Year's letter through his non-alcoholic spirits brand, Almave, that reads like a rallying cry following a difficult debut season with Ferrari. While the message publicly focuses on brand growth and values like 'joy and passion,' the subtext clearly addresses his F1 frustrations and frames 2026 as a crucial opportunity for a fresh start. The seven-time champion is looking to build momentum after a year marked by disappointment with the team's processes and execution.

Why it matters:

Hamilton's public framing of his mindset is a critical signal for the 2026 season, which features a massive regulatory reset. After a year where he publicly voiced frustration with Ferrari's operational processes, his optimistic tone suggests a renewed focus and a desire to move past the disappointments of 2025. For a team of Ferrari's stature, getting a seven-time world champion mentally aligned and motivated is paramount to capitalizing on the new rules and challenging for championships.

The details:

• Hamilton's letter, themed around "joy, passion, and curiosity," highlights the growth of his Almave brand, including the launch of a new product, Humo.
• The message, however, is widely interpreted as a metaphor for his F1 career, coming after a debut season at Ferrari that fell well short of championship contention.
• Operational Frustrations: Hamilton was openly critical of Ferrari's trackside processes throughout 2025, specifically pointing to issues with session execution, communication, and tyre management as key areas for improvement.

What's next:

The 2026 season represents a clean slate for both Hamilton and Ferrari, with new power unit and aerodynamic regulations potentially reshaping the entire grid. This reset is seen as Hamilton's best, and perhaps last, realistic chance to win an eighth world title. The key question is whether the team can translate this renewed optimism and the lessons learned from a difficult 2025 into a car capable of consistently challenging for victories from the very first race.