Lewis Hamilton has struck an upbeat tone ahead of his second Formula 1 campaign with Ferrari, saying visits to Maranello continue to leave him “constantly inspired.”
The Brit endured the toughest season of his F1 career in 2025, going an entire year without a podium finish for the first time in 19 seasons.
That difficult campaign was heightened by the huge anticipation surrounding his much-publicised move to Ferrari, which only added to the pressure.
Many of Hamilton’s struggles stemmed from the SF-25, a car that proved challenging to drive for both him and team-mate Charles Leclerc.
Ferrari’s lack of competitiveness saw the Scuderia end the year fourth in the Constructors’ Championship, a sharp drop after narrowly missing out on the title the previous season.
However, despite often appearing downcast in the paddock throughout 2025, Hamilton finished the year with renewed optimism as he looks ahead to a pivotal second season with the Italian team.
“I never compare Ferrari to any other team because it’s completely unique,” Hamilton told media, including Motorsport Week.
“Every time I return to the factory, I feel inspired — it’s always an incredible experience.
“There’s something truly romantic about Ferrari, from the brand itself to the atmosphere within the team. Even with the ups and downs we’ve faced, there’s a real sense of harmony.
“Everyone is fully focused on learning from 2025 to create a stronger future, and that motivates me each time I’m back in Maranello.
“Of course, there are things we need to improve. We’ve identified them, and that’s exactly what we’re working on.”
Hamilton will be back behind the wheel in under two weeks, when he and the rest of the grid take their new cars to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for the first official pre-season test.
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