Lewis Hamilton admitted he was not fully prepared for how “volatile” his first season with Ferrari has been, describing Lewis Hamilton’s 15 Races with Ferrari as nothing less than an “emotional roller coaster.”
The seven-time Formula 1 world champion left Mercedes over the winter to join Ferrari, but his start has been far from easy. In Lewis Hamilton’s 15 Races with Ferrari, he has managed just one sprint race victory in China and has yet to finish on the podium in a grand prix.
This weekend, Hamilton heads into his first Italian Grand Prix at Monza wearing Ferrari red. The event is special for him, but he is already facing a setback: a five-place grid penalty for ignoring a yellow flag during qualifying at Zandvoort.
Despite several difficulties this year, including a disastrous qualifying in Hungary where he labeled himself “useless,” Hamilton believes progress is finally being made between him and his new team.
“It’s been an emotional roller coaster,” Hamilton said when asked about how he has handled the season so far. “Did I expect it to be this volatile? No. But that’s life. I’d like to think that we’re heading towards the brighter end of the tunnel, even though Zandvoort was tough.”
He explained that he is trying to focus less on the future and enjoy the present. “I read something recently that said there’s no point stressing about tomorrow because it puts shade on today. So I’m really trying to stay in the moment. This half of the season has flown by, and I don’t want to miss these special moments. Driving at Monza for Ferrari for the first time is going to be incredibly special.”
Hamilton added that watching Schumacher dominate Monza inspired him as a child, and now, during Lewis Hamilton’s 15 Races with Ferrari, he feels proud to experience the passion of Ferrari fans. “The Tifosi’s support is like nothing I’ve ever seen. I want to give them everything I can this weekend.”
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Adapting to Ferrari and Honoring Niki Lauda in Lewis Hamilton’s 15 Races with Ferrari
Hamilton admitted that both he and Ferrari underestimated how big of a challenge it would be to join forces after 12 years at Mercedes.
“I had the whole of last year to think about it and prepare, but some things you can’t predict,” he explained. “There has been a lot of adjustment, from both my side and Ferrari’s side. They really moved heaven and earth to accommodate me. But there are cultural differences, and Fred [Vasseur, Ferrari team principal] even said maybe they underestimated what it would take.”
According to Hamilton, the struggles faced in Lewis Hamilton’s 15 Races with Ferrari have made him stronger. “Honestly, I think the harder it is, the better it can make you. This year has been tough for everyone in the team, but it’s preparing us for better days. We’ll be stronger after this tough start, and I’m motivated for the uphill battle ahead.”
This weekend, Ferrari will also celebrate a special milestone, the 50th anniversary of Niki Lauda’s first world championship with the team in 1975. Ferrari will run a one-off livery to honor Lauda, while Hamilton will carry the Austrian legend’s name on his helmet.
Hamilton worked closely with Lauda during his time at Mercedes, as the three-time world champion was a non-executive chairman at the team until his passing in 2019. For Hamilton, remembering Lauda has been a constant source of inspiration throughout Lewis Hamilton’s 15 Races with Ferrari.
“I think it’s amazing because I got to celebrate Niki at Mercedes when we won together, and now I get to celebrate him again at Ferrari,” Hamilton said. “His legacy continues, and I often think about what advice he’d give me here. It’s always in the back of my mind.”
Hamilton recalled Lauda’s blunt but motivating advice whenever he struggled. “When I didn’t do well, he would always say, ‘give them hell’, but in his own words, he’d say, ‘give them a—holes.’ That was his thing. At first, I didn’t understand what he meant, but eventually, I got it. He was always a fighter, and that’s something I try to carry with me.”
As he prepares for Monza, Hamilton remains determined to deliver a strong performance. Even though Lewis Hamilton’s 15 Races with Ferrari have been full of challenges, he insists that the lessons learned will help him and the team build towards future success.
For fans, the story of Lewis Hamilton’s 15 Races with Ferrari is not just about results but about resilience. The highs and lows have shaped his journey, and while victories have been limited, his determination has grown stronger. Hamilton’s first year in red has reminded him of Lauda’s spirit, always fighting, no matter how tough the road.
And as the Tifosi cheer him on, Lewis Hamilton’s 15 Races with Ferrari continue to represent both the struggles and the promise of a brighter tomorrow.
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