On the London night occasion on the O2 Enviornment, Lewis Hamilton’s eyes and expression had been corresponding to these of Gabriel Bortoleto, Kimi Antonelli, and Isack Hadjar. The joy of the three rookies, who’re about to contest their first System 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 System 1 season.
The primary facet Lewis emphasised was his confidence within the workforce’s potential, strengthened by what he described as the precise mindset to win the world championship. “Sure, I’ve no doubts,” he advised 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 received world championships, so I do know what a profitable workforce appears like. At Ferrari, everybody has a really calm strategy, and nobody thinks they’re good—the mentality is ‘we should maintain enhancing.’ And so they depart nothing to probability.” – the British driver identified.
Expectations? “It’s too early to know the way issues will go; we all know it will likely be a really shut season among the many high groups. I’m adapting to a brand new manner of working, and the aim is to be prepared for the primary race. However clearly, we haven’t but been on observe alongside our rivals, so we will’t know their stage.”
On a extra private notice, Lewis Hamilton shocked many by stating that if he had been to win one other world title, for him, it might be his… first. “It’s not about profitable an eighth title—for me, it might be the primary, my first World Championship with Ferrari. It will imply changing into a part of this workforce’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 can be ready to depart 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 ideally suited state of affairs, 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 wonderful.
“We now have an excellent relationship, and I contemplate him a really sturdy driver. A few years in the past in Bahrain (in 2019, throughout Leclerc’s second race with Ferrari when he misplaced the victory as a consequence of an influence unit challenge), I mentioned he had a brilliant future forward of him. At this time, Charles is simply 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 throughout the workforce, and clearly very a lot liked. It received’t be simple to beat him, however we’ll work collectively to make sure the workforce strikes in the precise path.”
In the meantime, Lewis Hamilton can also be persevering with his efforts to study Italian—an indication of respect for the workforce but additionally a further technique 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 simple as a result of, in the long run, we’re not pressured to. However I would like individuals to know that I care, that I’m really prepared to do no matter it takes to slot in. It’s a troublesome problem, however I like being on the manufacturing facility in Maranello as a result of it additionally permits me to follow day by day.”
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