Lewis Hamilton relishing F1 scrap having overcome 'ultimate test'

Lewis Hamilton has explained how "did not lose confidence" and passed the "ultimate test" for an athlete in his poor 2025 season.

During his first campaign at Ferrari, Hamilton failed to score a grand prix podium for the first time in his career as he badly struggled to adapt to the final ground-effects era car.

After qualifying only 12th in Hungary, he branded himself "useless" and indicated that Ferrari should look into signing another driver as his season also ended with three straight Q1 exits for the first time since 2009.

In Las Vegas, he also qualified the slowest of all on pure pace for the first time in his career. 

However, Hamilton has looked a rejuvenated force in 2026, and banked a first podium for Ferrari in China with the new generation of car much more to his liking. 

Describing how he battled through the tough 2025 season, Hamilton explained that he had faced the "ultimate test" which awaits any athlete at some point during their career.

"I didn't lose confidence last year, it's a natural part of a process as an athlete, we've all been through seasons like that and some of the most trying times," Hamilton told media, including RacingNews365.

"But the most important thing is getting back up, and that's what I've done this year; no one has done it for me; I've done it myself, and that's what we have to do, as individuals, and that's the ultimate test for an athlete.

"It is if you can get back to being the best and continue to try and show up in spite of the adversity you're facing, and so ultimately, I am proud to get to this point, but there is a long way to go.

"We're, and I, are under no illusions that it is going to be a really tough season, but I'm trying to prepare myself physically and mentally so that I can sustain the performance I've had [this season], and then the time with the guys at the factory to help guide, with Charles, the team in the right direction, so we can close the gap and start fighting for wins."