Lewis Hamilton has admitted he was surprised by how quickly public opinion shifted following his breakthrough Ferrari victory, while insisting that neither he nor the team can afford to lose focus as the championship battle continues.
Did one Ferrari victory change everything for Lewis Hamilton?
It has been just a month since Lewis Hamilton was being asked during the Montreal press conference whether retirement could be on the horizon.
Since then, the seven-time Formula 1 World Champion has produced his strongest performances since joining Ferrari, securing back-to-back second-place finishes in Monaco and Canada before claiming a memorable victory at the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona.
The conversation has changed just as quickly. Instead of discussing retirement, Lewis Hamilton is now being asked about his chances of fighting for the world championship—a remarkable turnaround in only three race weekends.
“Seeing how people completely changed their tune has been crazy, how they changed their minds compared to what they were saying before,” the Briton told F1TV. “I don’t pay much attention to it. For me, what has meant the most is the love from the fans and the way people experienced all of this together with me. As for the championship… I’ve been through this before. I know what I need to do, and it’s still a long road. We arrive at this weekend thinking about this weekend, not about the championship.”
Lewis Hamilton echoes Frédéric Vasseur’s approach
Hamilton’s comments closely mirror the message recently delivered by Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur, with both stressing the importance of staying grounded despite the recent momentum.
“All we can do is take it one day at a time and continue giving everything we’ve got. It’s one thing to have an opportunity, but it’s another to rally the troops. Mercedes is the team to beat, and it will take everyone’s commitment just to get close to the level they are operating at. I don’t think it’s impossible.”
The seven-time world champion concluded with a reminder of the mindset that has defined his career: “There are no shortcuts to success. Every single one of us contributes to this team, and I’m proud of everyone’s commitment. We have to keep improving all the time, and that’s exactly what I’m trying to do as well.”
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