Hamilton Reveals Hidden Neck Injury That Shadowed 2025 Ferrari Start

Lewis Hamilton has revealed that a violent pre-season testing crash in January 2025 left him with a severe neck injury that shadowed his turbulent first season at Ferrari. The seven-time champion disclosed that the impact in Barcelona knocked a disc into his nerve, forcing nine weeks of intensive treatment during the critical early phase of his Maranello tenure.

Why it matters:

The revelation provides crucial context for Hamilton's most difficult Formula 1 campaign, where he finished sixth in the 2025 standings without scoring a podium. It helps explain why a driver of his caliber struggled so profoundly while adapting to a new car philosophy after more than a decade at Mercedes.

The details:

• The injury: During private SF-23 testing, Hamilton struck the wall hard enough to dislodge a disc into his nerve. He underwent daily chiropractic sessions and received injections while battling sleepless nights for roughly nine weeks.
• The 2025 fallout: Hamilton ended the year 86 points behind teammate Charles Leclerc and failed to reach the podium for the first time in his career, fueling speculation that his move from Mercedes had misfired.
• The turnaround: Hamilton secured his maiden Ferrari victory at Barcelona in his 31st race weekend, coinciding with car adjustments better aligned to his feedback.

What's next:

Now firmly in championship contention during the 2026 season, Hamilton sits close to leader Kimi Antonelli and ahead of Mercedes rival George Russell. Despite his resurgence, the 41-year-old insists he is avoiding title arithmetic and focusing strictly on winning each weekend for Ferrari.