Lewis Hamilton predicts 'tears' over 'real battle' at Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton expects there to be "tears" during the F1 summer break over his difficult start to life at Ferrari.

The 40-year-old described his first half season with the Italian team as a "real battle", with results falling short of the high expectations that accompanied the British driver to Maranello.

Despite winning the sprint at the Chinese Grand Prix and finishing third in the one-third-distance race in Miami, the seven-time F1 drivers' champion has so far failed to reach the grand prix rostrum this campaign.

Having not done so since the Las Vegas Grand Prix last year, it is the longest podium-free spell of his F1 career, which began in 2007 with nine consecutive top-three finishes.

Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Hamilton said he thinks about his current drought "every day" of a season in which team-mate Charles Leclerc has visited the rostrum five times in the opening 12 rounds.

The 105-time grand prix winner labelled 2025 the "most intense" year he has experienced in recent memory, admitting he needs to "get away and recharge" over the summer.

"This has definitely been... I mean, the last God knows how many seasons have been hard in their own way," Hamilton told the United Kingdom's F1 broadcaster.

"This one's definitely been the most intense one, I would say, just from a work perspective, integrating into a new culture, into a new team, it's not gone smoothly in all areas, and it's been a real battle.

"So, yeah, my spirit... I definitely need to get away and recharge, be around the kids, laugh, let go.

"[I'm] sure there'll be some tears at some point, and I think that's really healthy," he added, underlining the importance of expressing emotions.

'Ah man, I love it!'

Despite the underwhelming performances on track this term, Hamilton highlighted his excitement and "love" for working with the Scuderia, pinpointing his growing "camaraderie" with the team.

"But I am excited, or I'm always excited, to race," he added. "I love what I do. I love being red. I love working with this team, and I have such belief in this team.

"It's really hard to explain, but I already had it a lot when I was in my previous team [Mercedes]. Like, over time, you really build that camaraderie - and I see the passion in this team.

"Ah, man, I love it! It's like, all I want to do is contribute the best I can. Of course, I need to do most of that, mostly on track, and I'm not always hitting that, but also in the background, I see there's things that we can always improve, and there's things that I can improve on.

"So, yeah, I'm just really excited for this break, I think for everybody, particularly the guys at the factory.

"I think they'll definitely enjoy this time with their family, and then we'll come back, extra energised for the second half."