Lewis Hamilton: “There is still a lot I want to change at Ferrari”. Lewis Hamilton opens up on criticism, Ferrari changes and future ambitions.

Lewis Hamilton’s road back to the top

After a difficult 2025 campaign, Lewis Hamilton is back where he feels he belongs. His victory in Barcelona returned him to the top step of the podium for the first time in 40 Grands Prix, ending a wait of 686 days since his previous win at Spa in 2024.

Speaking to Sky Sports UK, the Ferrari driver admitted that the journey back to victory had been anything but straightforward: “I came from a really difficult place to get back here. It’s simply about never giving up, never doubting yourself, never surrendering and just continuing to try,” Lewis Hamilton said.

The seven-time Formula 1 world champion also explained that some of the criticism he received during his struggles affected him deeply: “I think it’s easy for people to be negative about others, and I think it’s even worse when it comes from a driver who knows how difficult this sport is. Someone who perhaps hasn’t even achieved the same success that I have and still chooses to speak negatively.”

An unexpected source of strength helped Lewis Hamilton through one of the toughest periods of his career: “My fans really saved me during a very difficult time last year. They kept shouting at me, ‘Don’t forget who you are,’ and that really stayed with me.”

Ferrari changed to help Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton also highlighted how willing Ferrari and team principal Frédéric Vasseur were to listen to his feedback and support the changes he believed were necessary.

“The team has been incredible and has moved mountains. There are still many things that I want to change. I changed my entire race team from an engineering perspective, and I have helped guide this car in the right direction when it comes to development. There is still a lot of work to do, but I dreamed about all of this when I was a child, watching Ferrari win from my sofa while eating a bacon sandwich.”

The British driver believes the Barcelona victory could mark the beginning of something much bigger, but he remains realistic about the challenge Ferrari faces against Mercedes: “I think this is only the beginning. Mercedes has an incredible package and is extremely strong. It will take maximum effort from all of us to close the deficit and consistently get ahead of them.”

Lewis Hamilton concluded with a message of determination and optimism:

“Nothing is impossible. One step at a time.”