Lewis Hamilton insists he has nothing to prove at Ferrari
What's the story
Lewis Hamilton, the legendary British driver, will be making his Scuderia Ferrari debut after an illustrious 12-season career with Mercedes in Formula 1. His multi-year contract with the Italian giants was announced last year, sending waves of excitement and anticipation across the motorsport fraternity. However, this transition also comes with its own set of challenges for Hamilton, who is now adjusting to a new team and car dynamics. "I don't feel the pressure," Hamilton stated in a press conference.
Internal motivation
Hamilton brushes off external pressures
Speaking at a recent press conference ahead of the 2025 season-opening Australian Grand Prix, Hamilton addressed the pressure of his move to Ferrari. He said, "I am under no assumptions it will be easy. The outside pressure is non-existent for me. The pressure is from within and what I want to achieve." Instead, he stressed that his motivation comes from within and is driven by personal goals rather than external expectations or validation.
Team dedication
Hamilton's commitment to Ferrari's success
Hamilton reiterated his commitment to Ferrari's success, saying, "I am not here to prove anything to anybody. I have done it time and time again." He emphasized how he believes in the team's potential for success and wants to be a part of it. His focus isn't just on personal achievements but also on taking the team to the next level in the cut-throat world of Formula 1 racing.
New challenges
Adjusting to Ferrari's unique dynamics
Hamilton admitted the stark differences between Ferrari and Mercedes cars. "I am still learning this new car, which is quite a lot different to what I have driven all through my career," he said. "Ferrari power, after all my career with Mercedes, is a different feel, different vibration," he added. This speaks volumes about the challenges of adapting to a new team's vehicle dynamics in F1 racing.
Numbers
Recap of Hamilton's stint at Mercedes
Hamilton joined Mercedes in 2013, finishing fourth that season. He won back-to-back titles in 2014 and 2015 before finishing second in 2016. His dominance began with the 2017 title, leading to three more championships until 2020. With seven World Championships overall, he won six with Mercedes and one with McLaren in 2008. However, in his final season with Mercedes (2024), he finished seventh in the standings with 223 points.
Do you know?
105 race wins for Hamilton in F1
Hamilton owns the most race wins in F1 history (105). Notably, 84 of these race wins have come with Mercedes (highest for a driver with a single constructor). He has also sealed the most number of podium finishes (202), being the only driver with 200-plus podiums.