Inside Lewis Hamilton’s difficult Ferrari start: media recalls frustrating interviews. Lewis Hamilton’s transformation at Ferrari after “worst interview” claims emerge.

Lewis Hamilton’s first season with Ferrari was widely seen as one of the most emotionally challenging phases of his Formula 1 career, with the seven-time World Champion visibly frustrated at times during a difficult adaptation period at Maranello. That emotional weight, according to those working in the media, also made him one of the most challenging drivers to interview during that campaign.

However, the narrative around Lewis Hamilton has shifted significantly in the current Formula 1 season. The British driver appears revitalised, showing performance levels closer to his peak years, particularly since the 2021 championship battle. His growing confidence behind the wheel has coincided with a clear improvement in Ferrari’s competitiveness.

Following his first podium finish in Ferrari colours this season, Lewis Hamilton has become an increasingly influential figure in the Scuderia’s resurgence. Beyond raw performance, it is also his body language and overall presence that have changed noticeably, with the driver now appearing far more relaxed, engaged, and motivated compared to his debut year with the Italian team.

Media insight into Lewis Hamilton’s difficult 2025 season

Despite the improvement, some within the Formula 1 paddock still reflect on Lewis Hamilton’s first year at Ferrari as a particularly difficult period. F1 interviewer Tom Clarkson recently shared his perspective on the challenges of conducting interviews with a visibly disheartened Lewis Hamilton during that time.

Speaking in an interview with Mark Howard, Tom Clarkson explained that while he is pleased to see the seven-time F1 world champion performing at a higher level again, the struggles of the previous season had a noticeable impact on the driver’s demeanour both on and off the track, making post-race interviews especially difficult.

Tom Clarkson commented that there was a point where he even questioned whether Lewis Hamilton should have retired after the dramatic conclusion of the 2021 Formula 1 season, suggesting that the British driver had the sympathy of fans following the controversial Abu Dhabi finale. He added that, in hindsight, an early retirement would have changed the trajectory of Lewis Hamilton’s career entirely, potentially preventing his eventual move to Ferrari.

Tom Clarkson also highlighted that Lewis Hamilton’s continued passion for racing was evident, noting that the driver has always maintained a deep emotional connection to Formula 1 and high-performance machinery. According to Clarkson, testing sessions in Bahrain already showed signs of improvement, with the British driver appearing far more comfortable in the Ferrari environment compared to the previous season.

However, Clarkson did not hide the difficulty of interviewing Lewis Hamilton during his most challenging moments, stating that post-race conversations in 2025 were often extremely brief and lacking detail. He described several exchanges as “monosyllabic,” and recalled one particularly tense moment after the Hungarian Grand Prix, where Lewis Hamilton suggested that the team might need to “change the driver.”

Tom Clarkson admitted that the situation was frustrating from a media perspective, even joking that he felt like telling Lewis Hamilton to “snap out of it” during one of those interviews. He also referenced a later admission from Lewis Hamilton in Bahrain, where the driver acknowledged that he had “forgotten who he was” during the previous season, underlining the depth of his struggles.

Lewis Hamilton targeting first Ferrari victory as performance improves

Now, as the Formula 1 season resumes, the Briton’s resurgence has become one of the key storylines of the championship. His improved form has not only boosted Ferrari’s competitiveness but also reignited interest in his pursuit of a first race victory with the Scuderia.

Ferrari’s technical development programme has played a crucial role in this turnaround, with upgrades including revisions to the aerodynamic package and continued evolution of key components like the rear wing concept often referred to internally as the “Macarena” wing. These updates have been introduced during the recent development break in an effort to close the gap to Mercedes.

With Ferrari expected to arrive at the Miami Grand Prix with one of the most heavily updated packages on the grid, Lewis Hamilton could have his first real opportunity to fight for victory in red. The combination of technical upgrades and renewed driver confidence may prove decisive as the team looks to convert progress into results.

As the season develops, the focus will remain on whether Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc can consistently challenge at the front and turn Ferrari’s development gains into race wins. For now, however, the signs suggest that Lewis Hamilton is once again operating at a level closer to his championship-winning form.