Lewis Hamilton Reflects on Challenging First Season with Ferrari, Sends Emotional Message to Team

Lewis Hamilton has reflected on his inaugural season with Ferrari ahead of the Abu Dhabi season finale, describing the year as "life-changing" despite its challenges. The seven-time world champion, who joined Maranello in 2025 after a 12-year stint with Mercedes, acknowledged the "ups and downs" but praised the team spirit and collective drive for success within the Scuderia.

Why it matters:

Hamilton's move to Ferrari was one of the most anticipated transfers in Formula 1 history. His reflections offer a rare glimpse into the internal dynamics of his first year with the iconic Italian team, highlighting both the personal adjustment and the collective effort to overcome performance hurdles. This perspective is crucial as Ferrari and Hamilton look to build a more competitive future, especially with significant regulation changes on the horizon for 2026.

The details:

• Initial Hopes vs. Reality: Hamilton started his Ferrari tenure on a high, securing a sprint race victory in China. However, he struggled to consistently adapt to the Ferrari machinery, with his best Grand Prix finish being fourth place at the Emilia Romagna, Austrian, British, and United States Grands Prix.
• Emotional Message: In an Instagram post accompanied by a team photo, Hamilton expressed gratitude to the team, stating, "It's surreal to be a part of this team, and through the ups and downs this year has been life-changing." He affirmed his belief in the team's ability to achieve success together.
• Team Spirit: Hamilton specifically praised the "best team spirit" he has experienced in his driving career at Ferrari, noting a strong collective desire for progress under Team Principal Fred Vasseur's leadership.
• Learning and Preparation: He emphasized that the team has learned a great deal this year, which he hopes will be valuable for the upcoming seasons. Hamilton stated that the focus would shift entirely to the 2026 season immediately after the Abu Dhabi race, preparing for what he calls "the biggest change to the regulations in the history of the category."
• Abu Dhabi Practice: During the second practice session in Abu Dhabi, Hamilton finished 14th after sitting out FP1 to allow Arthur Leclerc, Charles Leclerc's brother, to participate.

What's next:

With the Abu Dhabi finale marking the end of a challenging first chapter, Hamilton and Ferrari are clearly shifting their gaze towards the future, particularly the monumental regulation changes in 2026. The emphasis on team unity and collective learning from this season's struggles suggests a determined effort to refine their approach. If they can harness the celebrated team spirit and leverage the lessons learned, Ferrari and Hamilton aim to be formidable contenders when the new regulations take effect, making the transition period critical for their long-term ambitions.