On the London night occasion on the O2 Area, Lewis Hamilton’s eyes and expression had been similar to these of Gabriel Bortoleto, Kimi Antonelli, and Isack Hadjar. The joy of the three rookies, who’re about to contest their first Components 1 Grand Prix in just a few weeks, was anticipated—far much less in order that of a seven-time world champion with 356 Grand Prix begins and 105 wins. Lower than 24 hours after the London occasion, throughout a media session in Maranello, Lewis Hamilton reiterated the combo of enthusiasm and optimism that’s guiding him into his nineteenth Components 1 season.
The primary facet Lewis emphasised was his confidence within the crew’s potential, strengthened by what he described as the proper mindset to win the world championship. “Sure, I’ve no doubts,” he instructed in an interview with the Italian day by day newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport. “I’ve labored prior to now with two groups (McLaren and Mercedes) which have each gained world championships, so I do know what a successful crew appears like. At Ferrari, everybody has a really calm method, and nobody thinks they’re excellent—the mentality is ‘we should hold enhancing.’ They usually go away nothing to probability.” – the British driver identified.
Expectations? “It’s too early to understand how issues will go; we all know it will likely be a really shut season among the many prime groups. I’m adapting to a brand new manner of working, and the objective is to be prepared for the primary race. However clearly, we haven’t but been on monitor alongside our rivals, so we will’t know their degree.”
On a extra private word, Lewis Hamilton shocked many by stating that if he had been to win one other world title, for him, it could be his… first. “It’s not about successful an eighth title—for me, it could be the primary, my first World Championship with Ferrari. It will imply turning into a part of this crew’s historical past.”
And once more: “If I had been lucky sufficient to win one other title, which is clearly what we’re working in direction of, I don’t see myself able to cease.” This response got here when requested whether or not he could be ready to go away if, on the finish of 2025, he discovered himself celebrating an eighth world championship. The reply was clear—no. His want is to proceed, as his two-year contract signed in January 2024 already suggests.
In Hamilton’s ultimate situation, Charles Leclerc additionally performs a key function. On this case, Lewis confirmed what Charles himself had beforehand talked about—that the beginning of their working and private relationship has been glorious.
“We now have an important relationship, and I take into account him a really robust driver. A few years in the past in Bahrain (in 2019, throughout Leclerc’s second race with Ferrari when he misplaced the victory on account of an influence unit challenge), I mentioned he had a shiny future forward of him. Right now, Charles is barely 27 years outdated and may be very mature for his age—most likely extra mature than I used to be at 27. He’s very skilled, well-integrated inside the crew, and clearly very a lot cherished. It gained’t be straightforward to beat him, however we’ll work collectively to make sure the crew strikes in the proper course.”
In the meantime, Lewis Hamilton can be persevering with his efforts to be taught Italian—an indication of respect for the crew but in addition a further approach to combine completely into the working group. “For a few years, I’ve dreamed of studying one other language, however for the English, it’s not straightforward as a result of, in the long run, we’re not pressured to. However I need folks to know that I care, that I’m really keen to do no matter it takes to slot in. It’s a troublesome problem, however I like being on the manufacturing unit in Maranello as a result of it additionally permits me to follow daily.”
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