Hamilton Plans Full Digital Detox After Tough Ferrari Debut Season

Lewis Hamilton plans to disconnect completely from the digital world this winter, vowing to throw his phone "in the fricking bin" after a difficult first season with Ferrari. The seven-time world champion managed just one sprint race victory in China and four fourth-place finishes during his 2025 debut with the Scuderia, failing to meet sky-high expectations following his blockbuster move from Mercedes.

Why it matters:

Hamilton's unprecedented public frustration signals deeper issues with both driver adaptation and Ferrari's operational environment. His comments about disliking ground-effect cars and media obligations highlight growing tensions between veteran drivers and modern F1's relentless demands. This situation could force Ferrari to reevaluate how they integrate superstar drivers into their high-pressure Maranello ecosystem.

The Details:

• Hamilton described his maiden Ferrari campaign as fundamentally unenjoyable: "There's not a single thing I'll miss about these cars. It is as simple as that. I have not enjoyed it."
• His season highlights were limited to the Chinese Grand Prix sprint victory and fourth-place finishes at Imola, Silverstone, Spielberg, and Austin.
• Car Adaptation Issues: The Briton struggled to adapt to both the SF-25 chassis and Ferrari's working methods, with team sources indicating communication gaps between Hamilton's preferred feedback style and Maranello's engineering processes.
• Media Fatigue: Hamilton specifically cited exhaustion from constant media obligations: "Every week, photoshoots and all that kind of stuff. That's the thing I look forward to one day, not having to do it all."
• Historic Disconnect: This planned digital detox represents a significant departure from Hamilton's previous winter routines, where he remained connected to team developments.

What's next:

Hamilton's complete disconnection raises questions about Ferrari's preparation for the 2026 season amid major technical regulation changes. While the Scuderia will continue development work during the break, Hamilton's absence from early discussions could impact the team's ability to refine the car to his preferences.

• Team principal Frédéric Vasseur faces pressure to rebuild trust with Hamilton while managing internal expectations at Maranello.
• The 2026 chassis, codenamed Project 678, represents Hamilton's best chance to reset his relationship with Ferrari - but only if the team addresses his concerns about car feedback and working environment.
• If Hamilton returns refreshed but still struggles with the car's characteristics, Ferrari may need to make difficult choices between accommodating their star driver or sticking with their technical direction.