Hamilton visits Ferrari factory, showing full commitment after challenging first season

Lewis Hamilton has visited Ferrari's Maranello factory, demonstrating his commitment to the team after a disappointing first season that yielded no wins, podiums, or pole positions in the main Grand Prix events. The seven-time champion is now focusing intensely on the crucial 2026 season, which could be his last in Formula 1 if performance does not improve with the new regulations.

Why it matters:

Hamilton's factory visit signals a proactive approach to reversing Ferrari's fortunes ahead of a pivotal regulatory change. After a season that fell far short of the high expectations for his high-profile move, his dedication and off-track work are critical for rebuilding momentum and challenging teammate Charles Leclerc internally. With the 2026 rules reset representing a potential final chance for championship success, Hamilton is leaving no stone unturned.

The details:

• Hamilton's first season with Ferrari was statistically the worst of his career, with no Grand Prix wins, podiums, or pole positions across 24 races.
• His only notable performance was a pole position during the Sprint weekend in Shanghai, which stood as a lone highlight in an otherwise difficult year.
• Despite the poor results, Hamilton has never publicly questioned his decision to join Ferrari or his place on the grid for 2025.
• Sky Sports reporter Ted Kravitz identified consistency in qualifying as the primary area Hamilton must address, following a morale-damaging run of three consecutive Q1 eliminations later in the season.
• The British driver did show steady performance improvement from the summer break onward, prior to the qualifying setbacks.

What's next:

All focus is now on the 2026 season and the new technical regulations. Hamilton is fully aware that if the struggles continue into this new era, it could mark the end of his Formula 1 career. His early engagement at the factory underscores a long-term strategy to ensure Ferrari is competitive from the start of the new rules cycle, making the upcoming development period the most important of his partnership with the Scuderia.