Lewis Hamilton is seeking to reignite his passion for Formula 1 and restore the joy he associates with racing, now behind the wheel of a Ferrari. The seven-time world champion has openly admitted that the pressure and intense scrutiny that have accompanied his move to the iconic Italian team have, at times, overshadowed the excitement of fulfilling a lifelong dream.
After a challenging first half of the 2025 season, Hamilton is determined to approach the remaining races with a fresh mindset, focused on rediscovering the fun that initially drew him to the sport. "We're going to work hard, keep our heads down, try to change a few things in our approach and start to enjoy ourselves," Hamilton said. "There's been so much pressure in this first half of the season, it's not been the most enjoyable. So I think just remembering that we love what we do, we're all in this together and I'm trying to have some fun".
Hamilton's move to Ferrari, a team he "always dreamed of driving for," has been met with immense expectations. He acknowledged that the "noise" surrounding his arrival and the pressure to perform have "clouded us from getting to enjoy it". The sheer scale of the Ferrari operation, with its numerous partners and extensive media commitments, has added to the pressure. "Just ultimately to get on top of everything, the amount of work we have, all the new partners, the amount of shoots we've done, getting integrated into a new team, and it's a big, big team," Hamilton explained. "It's the biggest brand in our sport as well, so the combination of all those different things has been a lot".
The transition to Ferrari has presented several on-track challenges for Hamilton. Adapting to the SF-25, Ferrari's 2025 Formula 1 car, has proven difficult, even for a driver of his caliber. Team principal Fred Vasseur admitted that he and Hamilton underestimated the time required for a complete adaptation to Ferrari's systems. Unlike Mercedes' cars, the SF-25 features a different aerodynamic layout, suspension characteristics, and braking systems, requiring careful calibration. Hamilton has also had to adjust to new braking components after partnering with Brembo, a long-time Ferrari partner. This has been a significant change for Hamilton, who had honed his late-braking style over the years to the characteristics of Carbone Industrie brake discs at Mercedes.
Despite the challenges, Hamilton remains determined to make his Ferrari dream a success. He has emphasized the importance of perseverance and maintaining focus, even when facing difficult circumstances. In a social media post, Hamilton encouraged his followers to persevere, highlighting personal growth and resilience. He underlined that challenges require individuals to maintain focus, embrace positivity, and continue moving forward.
Hamilton's commitment to Ferrari is unwavering. "This team has absolutely every ingredient that is needed to succeed," he asserted. "I truly believe in that. That's why I signed". He recognizes that adapting to a new environment takes time and that not everything can be transformed in a matter of months. Hamilton is focused on understanding the team's environment and adapting to it, while also ensuring that the team learns to cater to his needs as a driver.
Looking ahead, Hamilton is determined to build momentum and regain confidence. He is focused on improving his comfort and confidence with the SF-25 braking system, which is critical for maintaining competitiveness. Ferrari remains committed to working closely with Hamilton and Brembo to optimize his braking performance. With renewed motivation and a commitment to enjoying the sport, Hamilton hopes to turn the tide and achieve the success he and Ferrari both aspire to.
