Hamilton Reflects on Difficult 2025 Season
In the closing stages of the 2025 Formula One season, Lewis Hamilton, widely regarded as one of the greatest drivers in the sport's history, appeared markedly different from his usual self. The confidence, humor, and calm assurance that had long defined him were replaced by a sense of despair and confusion.
This change was so pronounced that many wondered how he managed to complete the season. Ahead of the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, which marks the start of the new campaign, Hamilton candidly acknowledged experiencing a psychological struggle.
“I lost sight for a second of who I was,” he said. “That person’s gone, you won’t see that person again. It was just something that built up over a period of time. And I think it’s normal. Lots of people have that at some point through their lives. It’s important you pick yourself back up and you evaluate where you’ve been and come back with that positive mental frame of mind.”
The contrast between his previous negativity and the optimism surrounding his debut season with Ferrari was striking. Expectations were high as the seven-time world champion joined the iconic team, aiming to end their long-standing title drought. However, the season did not unfold as hoped.
Hamilton endured the most challenging season of his career, finishing sixth in the drivers’ championship, trailing behind his teammate Charles Leclerc, who consistently out-qualified him throughout the year. Notably, Hamilton failed to secure a single podium finish for the first time in his career, and beyond the statistics, he appeared disconnected and unsettled.
Ferrari’s car proved difficult to handle, with development halting within a month of the season’s start. Hamilton struggled to adapt to his new environment, and by the end of the season, he described it as a “nightmare” and expressed feelings of “anger and rage” directed at himself.
These emotional expressions highlighted Hamilton’s openness and vulnerability, traits that have made him a compelling figure in the sport.
By the season’s close, the 41-year-old driver expressed a desire for a break, seeking to “completely unplug from the matrix.” Speculation arose regarding his future in Formula One, but Hamilton demonstrated resilience. During the off-season, he focused on personal well-being, family, and social life, including developing a relationship with Kim Kardashian.
“The break was really positive,” he explained. “It was my surroundings. It was the people I was with. It’s not my first rodeo, so it’s understanding how to flip things. It’s not that easy to do each time, but I always talk about cultivating a positive mental attitude.
“A lot of it came from training, that I’ve put more work in than anyone around me. I believe in myself and rediscovering myself was really a big part of it as well.”
Upon his return, the exhausted version of Hamilton seen at the end of 2025 had disappeared. The rejuvenated driver felt more at ease with the Ferrari car, which he had helped design. He expressed particular satisfaction with the smaller, more agile cars, which better suit his driving style compared to the previous ground-effect era vehicles.
Early indications suggest that Ferrari may have produced a car capable of competing for the championship or at least securing race victories. For Hamilton, even race wins would represent a significant opportunity to demonstrate his enduring skill.
If Ferrari’s car is truly competitive, the nature of the pressure Hamilton faces will change substantially.
Challenges and Expectations for the New Season
Hamilton is undoubtedly approaching the latter stages of his career, and some speculate that a dominant Charles Leclerc, now 28, could influence his decision to retire. Leclerc is expected to have an advantage in qualifying sessions, but Hamilton’s race pace, judgment, and experience remain formidable assets.
It is difficult to imagine that Hamilton’s ability to feel and control the car has diminished. Even during recent challenging years, when his machinery was less competitive, he remained highly skilled, comparable to his performances against Max Verstappen in 2021. If Ferrari’s car is competitive, it would be premature to discount Hamilton’s capabilities based on recent results.
Ferrari must also improve operationally. Hamilton is still awaiting the appointment of a permanent race engineer. Carlo Santi, formerly Kimi Räikkönen’s engineer, is currently filling the role after a difficult relationship with Riccardo Adami ended in the off-season. This position will be crucial if Hamilton is to compete at the front of the grid. Additionally, the team must keep pace with rivals in the intense development battle.
At the final race of last season in Abu Dhabi, it was striking to see Hamilton’s car positioned at the back of the grid with minimal attention from the crowd. Only Ferrari mechanics surrounded the vehicle, appearing almost as mourners concluding a disappointing season. Such a scene was unprecedented in Hamilton’s career.
However, it is expected that in Melbourne, Hamilton will once again attract significant attention and support. He enters the new season with renewed enthusiasm, and his presence is a positive addition to Formula One.
