The accomplished racer, Lewis Hamilton, communicated that he harbors ‘no resentment’ toward the Formula 1 supporters who might not fully grasp the time commitment necessary to achieve prosperity with Ferrari, particularly in light of the team’s underwhelming performance during the 2025 season.
This seven-time world champion made headlines this year by joining the Italian team, concluding a 12-year prosperous alliance with Mercedes that saw him clinch six championship titles, adding to the one he secured with McLaren in 2008.
However, Hamilton’s journey with Ferrari has been largely challenging; he currently occupies the sixth position in the championship standings, trailing his teammate, Charles Leclerc, by 64 points, and is yet to celebrate a grand prix podium finish after participating in 20 races.
His victory in the Shanghai sprint race appeared to be an exception, but there’s still considerable optimism surrounding the 40-year-old driver because F1 is slated to introduce a fresh set of regulations in 2026, potentially offering a clean slate for all teams.
Therefore, when Ferrari Magazine proposed to Hamilton that those acquainted with F1 should appreciate the duration it takes to adjust to a new racing stable, the British driver responded: “That includes only a select few individuals. Only by being immersed within a team can you genuinely comprehend its operational structure and the inner workings of F1.
“It’s impossible to fully visualize the mechanisms at play without being directly involved. Despite my extensive time in F1, joining this team has presented a genuinely distinct experience.
“Hence, I don’t fault individuals for lacking awareness. My sole course of action is to persistently concentrate on aspects within my jurisdiction, such as my preparation, teamwork, and daily demeanor, maintaining a positive mindset.”
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Photo by: Bryn Lennon / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Hamilton also touched on the subject of “cultural diversities” within Ferrari, highlighting that this wasn’t the first instance where he and his colleagues needed to adapt to each other, citing Niki Lauda as a past illustration.
Lauda served as a non-executive chairman at Mercedes and played a pivotal role in persuading Hamilton to undertake the surprising transition from McLaren back in 2013, after which the two cultivated a close-knit friendship.
This was despite initial reservations, as Hamilton pointed out that “Niki belonged to a generation that struggled to adapt to my unconventional approach” when he marked his F1 debut in 2007. Hamilton’s entrance stirred considerable attention, primarily owing to his working-class, mixed-race background, a deviation from the typical profile within the championship.
Nonetheless, he swiftly dispelled any skepticism, notably from Lauda, who celebrated his inaugural F1 title with Ferrari half a century ago, followed by further championship triumphs in 1977 and 1984.
“I had picked up on some unfavorable commentary, although I have always held him in high regard as a three-time world champion,” Hamilton remarked regarding Lauda, who passed away in 2019 at the age of 70.
“He stands as one of the genuine legends of our sport. Subsequently, he contacted me to advocate why I should join the team, and during our eventual meeting, we engaged in a productive discussion. He commented, ‘you share my essence; you’re a racer at heart’.
“It wasn’t until our interaction that those preconceived notions diminished, and the stereotypical viewpoint he might have possessed was rectified. Post that encounter, we frequently traveled to races together, and he would consistently arrange flights for us to various locations.”
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– The Autosport.com Team
