Inside the Ferrari motorhome, on a quiet Thursday in Monaco, Lewis Hamilton spoke with a level of sincerity he rarely concedes. Formula1.it was present for the session, and what emerged was not a simple analysis of the upcoming weekend, but a deeply personal narrative spanning technical development, trust, memory, and a past that continues to shape his present.
Hamilton kicked off by discussing the SF-26 and how it fits the iconic street circuit: “I’d say the track probably favors us compared to others. On the long straights we would lose much less, and I don’t think power will necessarily be a major issue.”
He then added: “Our car is good at low speeds, so I think we will be competitive,” noting that while “we won’t necessarily be the fastest,” the technical package should keep them firmly in the mix.
The changing face of Ferrari, invisible work, and symbiotic engineering
When asked how much of his current performance step is down to the new car versus his internal work with the team, Hamilton opened up: “It’s a huge thing. What most people don’t realize is the work that goes on behind the scenes.”
He then went into greater detail: “I arrived at a team that has everything it takes to succeed, but just needs to put the pieces of the puzzle in the right place. I committed myself 100%… the first part of last year was very, very tough.”
The role of Team Principal Fred Vasseur has clearly been decisive: “Fred has been fantastic in working with me and helping me… the engineers said it was a million times better compared to last year.” Followed by a phrase that perfectly summarizes their technical turning point: “We are still navigating, we still have a long way to go, but we are on the right track.”
On the specific downforce levels required for the Principality, he was direct: “It’s probably the lowest downforce configuration we’ve ever run on this track.” Meanwhile, future contract extensions do not cross his mind at all: “It’s not a thought and it’s not a topic of conversation.”
Then came one of the most striking moments of the interview, highlighting his connection with his new team: “The collaboration between driver and engineer is very, very important.” Hamilton explained how this technical synergy is built brick by brick: “You try to describe the problem corner by corner—entry, mid-corner, exit.”
He then dropped a comparison that carries immense weight: “I truly feel that Carlo is like my Italian Bono. He is very calm. It’s right there in the details where we manage to dive deep together. Our understanding is something that does me a lot of good.”
Monaco, McLaren, karting, and dreams: Hamilton opens up his deepest thoughts
When the conversation turned to his former team, McLaren, Hamilton’s tone grew noticeably warm: “I still have a soft spot for McLaren. I am incredibly grateful to Ron. I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for him.”
He reflected further on his mindset and career philosophy: “I love people who go against the grain. Who prove others wrong.” Turning his attention back to his current surroundings, he added: “This is my home… every time I come here, I always find myself thinking back to when I was younger.”
When he finished speaking, a quiet respect filled the motorhome. Hamilton didn’t just give an interview; he mapped out his journey, showing exactly why he is here, how Ferrari is changing him, and why Monaco is never just another race weekend on the calendar. It serves as both a return to where it all began and a decisive step toward who he wants to become.
Lewis Hamilton’s candid reflections ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix offer a fascinating glimpse into his ongoing evolution with Scuderia Ferrari. By establishing a strong, Bono-like bond with his engineer Carlo Santi and maximizing the SF-26’s low-speed strengths, the seven-time champion looks fully equipped to tackle the unique challenges of his home race while remaining deeply connected to his roots.
Leave a Reply