Hamilton's Open Letter Signals Reset After Disappointing Ferrari Debut
After a winless and frustrating first season with Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton has published an open letter reflecting on the past year and looking ahead to 2026 with a renewed focus on "joy, passion, and curiosity."
Lewis Hamilton and his non-alcoholic agave company, Almave, have released an open letter reflecting on a challenging 2025 and looking toward the future. The message comes after a difficult debut season with Ferrari, where the seven-time champion failed to secure a single podium for the first time in his illustrious career. Hamilton's letter emphasizes a desire to "build on defining milestones" and focus on "joy, passion, and curiosity" for the upcoming year.
Why it matters:
Hamilton's move to Ferrari was one of the most significant driver transfers in F1 history, creating massive expectations. The reality of 2025—a winless season and being outperformed by teammate Charles Leclerc—was a stark contrast, raising questions about his adaptation and the team's trajectory. This letter serves as his first public commentary on that struggle and sets the stage for a critical 2026 season with new technical regulations that could reset the competitive order.
The details:
- A Historic Downturn: Hamilton's 2025 campaign was the first of his career without a single podium finish, a shocking statistic for a driver of his caliber.
- Car and Performance Issues: The Ferrari SF-25 was fundamentally uncompetitive, and Hamilton was often matched or beaten by his teammate, Charles Leclerc, leading to visible frustration throughout the season.
- A Shift in Mindset: In the letter, Hamilton explicitly states his focus for the future is on "joy, passion, and curiosity," a clear departure from the frustration of the past season.
- The 2026 Factor: The upcoming season features a massive overhaul of technical regulations, including new power units and chassis rules, offering a genuine opportunity for teams like Ferrari to close the gap to the front.
What's next:
All eyes will be on Ferrari and Hamilton when the 2026 season begins. The new regulations represent a clean slate, and the team's ability to produce a competitive car will be the ultimate test. Hamilton's public reset suggests he is determined to put the disappointment of 2025 behind him, but whether the Scuderia can provide him with the machinery to challenge for wins remains the defining question for the year ahead.