‘I use it as fuel’ – Hamilton explains approach to dealing with criticism amid new chapter with Ferrari

 

BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN – FEBRUARY 28: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Scuderia Ferrari attends the

Lewis Hamilton has detailed his approach to dealing with criticism, with the seven-time World Champion stating that he uses negative comments as “fuel” as he continues to focus on forging his own path.

 

Hamilton featured heavily in the headlines before the 2025 season was even close to beginning, having announced his blockbuster switch to Ferrari prior to the 2024 campaign getting underway.

 

And while the move sparked plenty of reaction from across the motorsport world, Hamilton has insisted that any critical remarks – not only in recent times but throughout his extensive career in the sport – have simply spurred him on further.

 

“Naturally in our sport, criticism is something that everyone receives,” the 40-year-old explained during pre-season testing in Bahrain. “I think I’ve probably received a lot more of it perhaps throughout my career.

 

BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN – FEBRUARY 27: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Scuderia Ferrari

Hamilton is embarking on the next chapter of his career with Ferrari

“I’m just in the mindset [that] I just keep my head down, keep doing what I’m doing. I know that I’m growing each day, I know I’m bound to make mistakes – I’m only human.

 

“But one thing I’m proud of is that I have the drive, I have the focus, I’m able to admit when I’m wrong, and I know that tomorrow I will work to be better.

 

“It really doesn’t matter to me, some of the comments that have come out over my career – it’s not just been this past 12 months or so. I just use that as fuel.”

 

Hamilton is now well into the beginnings of his headline-making move to Ferrari, having officially began work at the Scuderia in January. When pushed on whether the romanticism that the team brings has lived up to his expectations since joining, the Briton responded: “It definitely has.

 

 

 

Lewis Hamilton’s first reflections of his Ferrari testing debut

 

“It’s one thing seeing it from outside, but then when you’re actually in it, it’s pretty extreme, it’s pretty incredible.

 

“Just from speaking to the whole team, seeing the whole team at the factory all in one space and seeing how passionate and excited everyone [is], walking around all the different departments… people who just live and breathe Ferrari.

 

“It’s what you grow up dreaming of getting to work at, those smaller places and towns in Italy where they’ve grown up dreaming of one day being there. [You can see] how proud they are to work there, and how much pride they take in their work is really beautiful to see.

 

“The Tifosi, I could see it obviously watching Charles [Leclerc] and Carlos [Sainz] over the years and with Sebastian [Vettel], but to be on the receiving end of it is a new experience that I couldn’t have imagined exactly.”

 

 

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Ever since Ferrari announced at the beginning of February 2024 that Lewis Hamilton would be joining the team, excitement and expectation have been growing among the Tifosi.

 

Ferrari narrowly missed out on ending their long wait for a championship last season but their fans would love nothing more than to see either Charles Leclerc or Lewis Hamilton end that drought this year.

 

Leclerc is Ferrari’s prodigal son and has been associated with the team for more than half of his life.

 

They supported him through the junior categories and after a single year with Sauber, they promoted him to drive alongside – and eventually beat – four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel.

 

The arrival of Hamilton at Ferrari sees Leclerc facing his toughest task so far, even if Hamilton’s form did begin to suffer last season, particularly in qualifying.

 

Damon Hill questioned if Hamilton had lost his one-lap pace but the 40-year-old is more likely to put that down to the previous few Mercedes cars not suiting his driving style.

 

Hamilton will only discover over the coming months whether it was him or the car that was the issue, but he’s done everything in his power to integrate at Ferrari as quickly as possible over the past six weeks.

Team principal Frederic Vasseur has high hopes for Hamilton but not as high as Ferrari’s fans who have been turning out in their thousands to catch a glimpse of the seven-time world champion.

 

 

A report from the German outlet Auto Motor und Sport has shared more details about a recent event held in Milan before the team jetted off to the Australian Grand Prix.

 

 

Lewis Hamilton promised Ferrari fans he’ll learn to speak Italian during Milan event

Tens of thousands of fans turned out to see Hamilton and Leclerc in Milan as both drivers took to the streets to drive some of Ferrari’s old F1 cars.

 

Hamilton was spotted doing doughnuts at one point and showed his expert car control by avoiding the barriers on the narrow streets.

 

One of the most stirring moments of the event was when the Italian national anthem played out and everyone in the crowd joined in.

 

Leclerc was also seen singing along and joked with Hamilton that he’ll teach him the anthem in the future.

 

Talking to the crowd, Hamilton said: “Wearing red and experiencing an event like this is something very special, as is standing with you in front of historic cars, including those that Michael Schumacher drove.

 

“I can’t wait to get out on track with this special team. I think we have everything we need to fight for the World Championship – and you are a driving force for us.”

 

The report goes on to say that Hamilton then ‘promised’ Ferrari’s fans that he would learn Italian. Hamilton has already delivered a message in Italian to Ferrari’s staff but was still having to read it off his phone, although the effort wouldn’t have gone unnoticed.

 

Charles Leclerc can learn from Lewis Hamilton during first Ferrari F1 season together

While Leclerc the SF90 from the 2019 season in Milan, Hamilton was handed Ferrari’s 2021 car – the SF21.

 

Neither car went on to dominate Formula 1 and it doesn’t look like the SF-25 is going to end that trend.

 

However, Leclerc and Hamilton is arguably the team’s strongest line-up in decades and may be able to make up for any of the car’s shortcomings with their talent.

 

Peter Windsor thinks Leclerc can learn from Hamilton and remove some of the weaknesses that have prevented him from mounting a serious title challenge in the past.

 

Hamilton may have to be selfish in that regard and not give away too much to the Monegasque star.

 

 

Martin Brundle believes Lewis Hamilton will be a grand prix winner on multiple occasions with Ferrari in F1 2025.

 

The former F1 driver turned pundit would deliver that as his “bold prediction” as he and his Sky F1 colleagues looked ahead to the new season to come.

 

Lewis Hamilton a multi-time winner in F1 2025?

Hamilton finds himself as one of the key talking points for the season ahead, as he looks to get his push for a record eighth World Championship back on course after a shock move from Mercedes to Ferrari.

 

And Hamilton makes that move with doubters to silence, after suffering defeat to former Mercedes team-mate George Russell in both the 2024 race and qualifying head-to-heads, with qualifying the particular concern, Russell winning out 19-5.

 

However, Brundle backs Hamilton to put his racecraft to good use in F1 2025 and take to the top step of the podium in Ferrari red.

 

He said: “My bold prediction for this season is that Lewis Hamilton will win more than one race in a Ferrari.”

 

Brundle was joined by a host of fellow Sky F1 faces, lead commentator David Croft and pit-lane reporter Ted Kravitz also appearing, alongside 2016 World Champion Nico Rosberg, 1997 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve and more.

 

Kravitz also went down the race winners’ route for his prediction, stating “eight drivers will win races” in an F1 2025 campaign which holds the potential to be an all-time classic, with McLaren, Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes all entering the year with title ambitions.

 

And in a season which McLaren’s Lando Norris starts as the title favourite for many, Croft is backing his team-mate Oscar Piastri to make an impact, tipping the Aussie “to win six or more grands prix”.

 

Norris won out comfortably when it came to the cast of Sky F1 making their World Champion picks with six votes – including that of Rosberg – to win his first title in F1 2025, while defending four-time champion Max Verstappen was a rather distant runner-up with two.

 

Hamilton’s Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc was the only other driver to get a vote – cast by Williams development driver Jamie Chadwick – leaving Hamilton out in the cold with no Sky F1 contributor expecting him to win that record eighth World title in F1 2025.

 

 

The Constructors’ title vote was fought exclusively between McLaren and Ferrari, resulting in a 7-3 victory for McLaren, backing them to pull off back-to-back Constructors’ Championship wins.

 

Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton pictured at F1 testing 2025 in Bahrain

 

As Lewis Hamilton prepares for his grand Ferrari debut at the Australian Grand Prix, is he facing an uphill battle to make the podium?

 

Potentially so as Sky F1’s pit-lane reporter Ted Kravitz confirmed “that Mercedes is quick” and as Hamilton looks to mark the start of his journey with the famed Italian team via a podium, could it instead be F1’s new Italian driver that steals the headlines?

 

Kimi Antonelli to deny Lewis Hamilton Aus GP podium?

After activating a release clause in his Mercedes deal ahead of the 2024 season to sign with Ferrari, Hamilton is now on the eve of his first race with the Scuderia, as Albert Park returns to its place as the season opener in F1 2025 for the first time since 2019.

 

The three-day test in Bahrain offered our first clues into how the pecking order is looking for the new season, and after PlanetF1.com’s resident data expert Pablo Hidalgo crunched the numbers, McLaren came out looking strong in race mode.

 

That is a view shared by Kravitz, but behind McLaren, he believes Mercedes could well be next down the road with their W16.

 

Asked by Sky F1 colleague Craig Slater if Mercedes could back their strong testing performance up for a good part of the season, Kravitz replied: “Definitely.

 

 

“I mean, I would not be at all surprised if we saw George Russell on the podium in Melbourne.

 

“Maybe, if you’re saying the McLaren is the fastest car, it could be a Norris Piastri, Piastri Norris first and second. And I would say that George Russell has got a great chance of being third.”

 

However, Kravitz also believes the same applies for Russell’s new Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli.

 

Mercedes looked within their own ranks for Hamilton’s replacement, calling up the Italian teenager after a trophy-laden junior career to take over alongside Russell.

 

So, could it be Antonelli who writes the headlines for his home nation in Melbourne?

 

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“But that Mercedes is quick,” Kravitz continued. “Watch out for Kimi Antonelli, the 18-year-old Italian driver, great to have an Italian back in Formula 1.

 

“When all the attention is on the man who went from Mercedes to Ferrari, it might be an Italian driver, not in a Ferrari, who manages to get on the podium.”

 

He added: “That Mercedes is quick. I would put it behind the McLarens in terms of where they are on the grid.

 

“And maybe ahead of the Ferraris earlier on.”

One of the most rearranged grids in recent years has shown the 2025 Formula 1 driver pay.

With a predicted salary of $65 million, Max Verstappen leads the field once more, surpassing Lewis Hamilton, who is expected to make $60 million.

According to RCN365, Hamilton’s earnings have increased by $10 million since switching from Mercedes to Ferrari, although the British driver still lags behind the four-time world champion.

Charles Leclerc is no longer the Prancing Horse’s highest-paid driver due to the grid reshuffle; he now makes an estimated $34 million annually, which is much less than his new colleague.

Ferrari appears to appreciate the seven-time world champion and his ability to draw attention and marketing power for the Scuderia, as seen by the shift in status.With a $20 million salary, Fernando Alonso is fourth on the list, demonstrating his enduring star power and illustrious career.

The sole world champion from Spain is still working toward his “La 33,” and his best effort was a second-place finish at the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix.

His 2025 salary is still among the highest in the world, matching that of McLaren’s Lando Norris, who is also expected to earn $20 million this year, even though he hasn’t finished first since the 2013 Spanish Grand Prix.

Carlos Sainz Jr., Alonso’s countryman, will benefit from his transfer to Williams, earning almost $10 million, which is only two million less than his Ferrari contract from the previous season, even though he would be joining a team with significantly less funding.

The Spaniard sets the hierarchy for the Grove-based team with a salary that much exceeds Alex Albon’s $8 million.

Among the rookies, a hierarchy has also developed. At the vanguard is Gabriel Bortoleto, a protégé of Fernando Alonso, who will make $2 million in his first season with Sauber, which is equal to Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli’s contract.

It is reported that newcomers Jack Doohan, Liam Lawson, and Oliver Bearman make between $500,000 and $1 million year on basic pay.

The French-Algerian driver Isaak Hadjar, who has generated enthusiasm in the Maghreb and throughout the Arab world, will also do so. This season, he will make his Formula One debut with RB Visa.

 

 

 

 

A studio shot of Lewis Hamilton posing in Ferrari overalls

Former Mercedes boss: ‘Very sad’ to see Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari

Hamilton is preparing for his first season as a Ferrari driver having joined the Italian team from Mercedes on a multi-year contract from F1 2025.

 

It marks only the second team switch of Hamilton’s illustrious career with his only previous transfer occurring at the beginning of 2013 when he swapped McLaren for Mercedes.

 

Hamilton cemented his status as the most decorated driver in F1 history over the course of 12 seasons at Mercedes, equalling Michael Schumacher’s record of seven World Championships in 2020 before becoming the first man to reach 100 grand prix victories and pole positions the following year.

 

Hamilton’s switch will see him race a non-Mercedes engine for the first time in his career, with the German manufacturer powering each of his 356 F1 starts stretching back to his debut season with McLaren in 2007.

 

As the former head of Mercedes’ motorsport activities, Haug played an instrumental role in the rise of Hamilton through Mercedes’ works partnership with McLaren.

 

The 72-year-old narrowly missed out on reuniting with Hamilton at the Brackley-based Mercedes F1 team, having been replaced by Toto Wolff at the end of 2012

 

Haug met with Hamilton for the first time in years during the driver’s Mercedes farewell tour in December, which saw the 40-year-old visit Mercedes’ headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany, as well as the base of title sponsors Petronas in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

 

Speaking to Sky Germany, Haug confessed that it is “very sad” to see Hamilton in Ferrari colours having expected the seven-time World Champion to finish his career with Mercedes.

 

And he backed Hamilton to “give everything” in his bid to land a record eighth World Championship with Ferrari.

 

 

 

He said: “It’s actually very sad for me, I have to say. I would never have thought that Lewis would switch again.

 

“I’ve really known him since he was 14 years old. There really is still a great relationship.

 

“I hadn’t seen him for years…and I don’t know. When you’ve worked with people, with racing drivers, for so long, it’s like the first day, as if the last meeting was yesterday.

 

“Anyone who thinks that he will give up at 40 and step on the gas less and work less intensively will be wrong. He will give everything [at Ferrari].

 

“I absolutely trust him to deliver the maximum possible performance in the race.

 

“And if the car is good, why shouldn’t it work out with the eighth title?”

 

Hamilton was infamously denied an eighth title in highly controversial circumstances at the 2021 decider in Abu Dhabi, where the race director’s failure to implement the Safety Car rules correctly saw Hamilton overtaken by Red Bull driver Max Verstappen on the last lap.

 

Verstappen has dominated F1 over recent years, storming to four consecutive World Championships, with Hamilton restricted to just two race wins since the start of the 2022 season.

 

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Hamilton’s decision to leave Mercedes came on the back of a second consecutive winless season in 2023, with the seven-time World Champion activating a break clause to force his move to Ferrari less than six months after signing a two-year contract extension with the Silver Arrows.

 

Haug has claimed that the 2021 title was “stolen” from Hamilton with driver and team suffering “a demolition” after the controversial Abu Dhabi finale.

 

He added: “The last few years [have been difficult] since the title we lost in 2021.

 

“And that really was a stolen title – there’s no other way to put it – due to the wrong safety car decision at the time, but there was a demolition after that.

 

“The car and the team that preceded it suffered many setbacks, including last year. The victories that did come were some at low temperatures.”

 

Put to him that Mercedes could return to the top in the near future after a promising pre-season test with the new W16 car in Bahrain last week, Haug added: “I think we are, as you know, just as good as we were in the last race.”