Speaking at the post-race press conference, Hamilton explained that heavy criticism during his disappointing 2025 debut season with Ferrari led to him to “unplugging from the matrix,” and undertaking his hardest training regime yet over the Christmas break. The Briton then revealed he hoped the training programme would avoid a hidden injury he had been suffering throughout the previous season.
Hamilton said: “There’s moments where I see the stuff and for sure there’s moments where I allowed it to get to me and penetrate deeply. But then I went through a sequence of unplugging from that matrix. I spent lots of time with family, lots of time with friends, real people that know me, that have never doubted me, have stuck to and by me my whole life.
“And then I just went on the mission from Christmas Day. The training that I put in was harder than I’ve ever experienced, to keep myself in good shape, because I think at the beginning of last year I got injured here, actually, and carried that for months.”
Speaking of changes, Hamilton has also opened up on the relationship he has with new race engineer Carlo Santi, whom he shared the podium with in the Barcelona GP celebrations.
Hamilton compared Santi with his former Mercedes race engineer Peter ‘Bono’ Bonnington, telling media, including GPblog, at the press conference: “It’s great to be able to connect with an engineer other than what I used to have. I had it for such a long time and then you kind of lose that feeling because Bono’s now doing it with Kimi. It’s really great to be able to share that experience with him on that stage.”
Photo: Race Pictures
The American star shared a photo of the Briton crossing the finish line as his team cheered him on, with a trophy and heart emoji attached, beaming with pride over her partner’s result.
The victory marked a special milestone for Hamilton, but also British motorsport. Along with George Russell and Lando Norris, Hamilton completes the first all-British podium since Jackie Stewart, Graham Hill and John Surtees at the 1968 US GP.
Elkann said: “Well done Lewis, on your first great victory with Ferrari: an emotional moment and a very important result, which belongs to the entire team and to all our fans. I would like to thank everyone for the determination, sacrifice and collective effort that they demonstrate every day with passion and Ferrari spirit, both at the track and in Maranello.”
Photo: Race Pictures