Why it matters
Lewis Hamilton, one of F1's most celebrated drivers, is openly questioning his motivation and enjoyment in the sport amid a challenging first half of the 2025 season with Ferrari. His struggles have led to self-doubt, highlighting the immense pressure even top athletes face.
The big picture
Hamilton has yet to fully acclimate to Ferrari, experiencing a difficult start to the season where he even called himself "useless" after a poor qualifying performance at the Hungarian Grand Prix. While teammate Charles Leclerc secured pole, Hamilton qualified 16th, admitting Ferrari should consider replacing him.
The details
- During the Dutch Grand Prix media day, Hamilton reflected on the importance of enjoying Formula 1, stating, "It’s probably the most important part, because that’s the reason I got into this sport."
- Despite winning the Shanghai sprint race, he has not achieved a feature race podium, with his best results being fourth place finishes in Canada, Austria, and Britain.
- He posed a fundamental question about career satisfaction: "If you’re not enjoying what you’re doing, then why are you doing it?"
- Hamilton revealed that the "noise" surrounding his high-profile move to Ferrari has detracted from his enjoyment.
What's next
Hamilton is focused on rediscovering his passion for racing in the remaining ten races of the 2025 season. He aims to "move those things aside and just getting back to focusing on the pure love of what we do," hoping to find enjoyment despite the external pressures and team transition challenges.