Hamilton calls Ferrari debut season “an emotional roller coaster” as Monza debut in red looms

Lewis Hamilton Reflects on First Ferrari Season Ahead of Italian Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton says he wasn’t prepared for how “volatile” his first season at Ferrari would feel, describing the opening 15 races of his Scuderia stint as “an emotional roller coaster” heading into his first Italian Grand Prix at Monza in red. In a candid update ahead of the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix at the Temple of Speed, the seven-time world champion outlined the learning curve of his Mercedes-to-Ferrari transition and his mindset for Monza.

Hamilton’s Roller Coaster Season

The seven-time world champion, who left Mercedes after 12 years and 105 Grand Prix victories, has yet to stand on a Sunday podium for Ferrari, with his lone triumph so far a sprint win in China. He arrives at Monza carrying a five-place grid penalty for a yellow-flag infringement at Zandvoort, another hurdle in a year that has included setbacks such as a bruising qualifying in Hungary where he labeled himself “useless.” For fans tracking Lewis Hamilton’s first year with Scuderia Ferrari, Monza offers a pivotal checkpoint in a season defined by adaptation and consistency.

Emotional Reflections at Monza

“It’s been an emotional roller coaster,” he said when asked in Monza how he has dealt with the emotions of his first year. “What can I really say?

“Did I expect it to be as volatile in terms of the feeling? No, but that’s life.

“And I’d like to think that we’re coming, even though we had a difficult Sunday [in Zandvoort], we’re coming towards the brighter end of the tunnel. I read something recently where it was saying, ‘there’s no point stressing about tomorrow because it often puts shade on the present’.

“So I’m really trying not to worry about tomorrow. I’m really trying to be present and enjoy every moment because, you know, this half of the season has gone by really quick.

“There’s obviously a long way to go. But I don’t want to miss any of these special moments that we’re having. Like my first Monza in Ferrari in red when I leave the garage tomorrow, it’s going to be incredibly special coming onto this circuit.

“I just really reflect on when I was a kid watching Michael Schumacher winning here. And now I get to have that opportunity, that experience of being on the receiving end of the Tifosi. And I want to give them absolutely everything this weekend to get the best result for them because the passion and the support they’ve given me and this team is like nothing I’ve ever seen.”

Adjusting to Ferrari Life

Hamilton acknowledged the scale of the adjustment since his winter switch, saying both he and Ferrari underestimated the challenges of meshing together after so long at Mercedes. The Ferrari F1 driver pointed to Scuderia Ferrari’s culture, processes, and car characteristics as areas that require ongoing adaptation during his debut season.

“I had the whole of last year to think about it and try to prepare, but there are still things that you couldn’t foresee,” he explained. “And there’s been a lot of adjustment, both from my side and my team’s side to Ferrari’s side. And I think that really moved heaven and earth to accommodate me.

“Obviously, there’s the culture differences. And I think Fred [Vasseur, Ferrari team principal] made a comment, probably they perhaps underestimated me joining the team and obviously the year that we’ve been faced with in terms of the problems that we faced with the car.

“Honestly, I think the harder it is, the better it can make you. And I think this year has been tough for everyone within the team, but I think it really prepares us for better days. And I think we’ll be stronger having gone through this tough first six months and I’m really, really excited and motivated for a positive uphill battle from here.”

Honoring Niki Lauda

Ferrari will mark the 50th anniversary of Niki Lauda’s first world title with the team this weekend with a one-off livery, and Hamilton will carry Lauda’s name on his helmet. The Briton worked closely with the three-time world champion during their Mercedes years and said Lauda’s voice still lingers in his ear. The Monza tribute underscores Ferrari’s history as Hamilton begins his first Italian Grand Prix weekend in Ferrari red, adding emotional weight to a key milestone in his Ferrari journey.

“I think it’s amazing this weekend because I got to celebrate Niki at Mercedes, I got to celebrate winning with him, winning championships with him, and then to be able to come to Ferrari and then also be able to celebrate him here is really, really cool,” Hamilton said.

“His legacy continues to live on and I know right now, I know what he would be saying to me nowadays and it’s always in the back of my mind, that thought. Yeah, when I didn’t do well, he would always say ... he would say, ‘give him hell’, but he would always say it with the word, a---holes. That was always his thing.

“I remember at the beginning, I never understood. I was like, what do you mean? You mean, ‘give him hell’?

“He was like, no, ‘give him a---holes’. But yeah, he was just such a fighter.”

Focus on Monza and the Tifosi

Despite the penalty and a season short on headline results, Hamilton insists the focus is on savoring the moment and repaying the Tifosi’s fervor at the Temple of Speed. For Formula 1 fans searching for updates on Lewis Hamilton’s first Monza with Ferrari, the story remains one of resilience, incremental progress, and a deep connection with Scuderia Ferrari’s passionate supporters.

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