That person has gone': Lewis Hamilton ditches despair for feelgood Ferrari reboot

"I lost sight for a second of who I was, he said. That person's gone, you won't see that person again. It was just something that built up over a period of time. And I think it's normal. Lots of people have that at some point through their lives. It's important you pick yourself back up and you evaluate where you've been and come back with that positive mental frame of mind."

"The contrast between that negativity and the optimism of the buildup to his debut season with Ferrari was so marked as to be almost theatrical. The fervour and anticipation of the seven-time champion donning the rosso corsa to try to end Ferrari's interminable title drought had come to nought. Hamilton endured the worst season of his career, finishing sixth in the drivers' championship, behind his teammate Charles Leclerc."

Lewis Hamilton faced an unprecedented psychological and professional crisis during the 2025 Formula One season with Ferrari. The seven-time champion, known for his confidence and composure, experienced a complete loss of self-assurance, describing it as a psychological break where he lost sight of who he was. His performance deteriorated dramatically, resulting in his worst career season with a sixth-place championship finish, no podium finishes, and being comprehensively out-qualified by teammate Charles Leclerc. Hamilton struggled to adapt to Ferrari's problematic car, which ceased development early in the season. By season's end, he appeared disconsolate and adrift. However, heading into the 2026 season, Hamilton demonstrated typical forthrightness in acknowledging the breakdown, emphasizing the importance of self-evaluation and returning with a positive mental framework.

Read at www.theguardian.com