Lewis Hamilton opens up on 'massively different' Ferrari change

Lewis Hamilton has insisted he is in a much happier place entering his second season with Ferrari following a challenging maiden campaign in 2025.

Hamilton struggled to get up to speed behind the wheel of Ferrari's challenger and went the entire year without a podium finish for the first time in his career.

It left some questioning the seven-time champion's decision to leave the familiarity of Mercedes for a new squad.

However, in the build-up to the new campaign, Hamilton has shared multiple messages of encouragement on social media, stating he “forgot who he was” during the difficult campaign while vowing he is not close to walking away from the sport.

Having enjoyed a respectable pre-season test period with his new car, Hamilton insisted he already feels the positive change between himself and the squad.

“Massively different to the first year,” Hamilton told media including RacingNews365.

“[It's a] much nicer feeling, having spent a year at the team, understanding the culture, understanding and finding ways of working together. 

“We're in a good place now together as a team, I feel very gelled with the team today. So much happier.”

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Hamilton highlights 'culture difference' at Ferrari

Prior to joining Ferrari, Hamilton endured lengthy stints at McLaren and Mercedes, which are both located in his home country.

But having stepped into a brand new environment with different methods in Italy, Hamilton admitted it took time for the two parties to understand one another.

“It's the culture, the difference in culture, the difference in the way in which the team operates compared to what I've experienced with British teams.

“It's really just getting to know each other, lots of meetings, lots of discussion, there's lots of communication, improving communication. 

“It's time at the factory, which I gave a lot last year, but I continue to show up. Just asking for change is one thing, but finding ways to create allyship and show why change is better for us as a whole and going on a journey together, discovering that and making those improvements.

“We have started to do that towards the end of last year, and particularly going into this season. 

“It was such a steep learning curve last year, and we were kind of learning on the go, but we're so much more prepared this year, which I'm really excited for.

“It goes back again to the confidence and the reason I joined the team, the belief that I have in joining the team, what I believe I can do with this team. It's even stronger than it ever was before.”