Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has used his 41st birthday to publicly declare his intention to instigate significant change within his Ferrari setup ahead of the pivotal 2026 season.
A Reflective Break After a Draining Year
Marking his birthday on Wednesday, 7th January 2026, the British racing icon shared an emotional social media post reflecting on a challenging 2025 campaign. Hamilton failed to secure a single podium finish with Ferrari last season, describing the year as "very draining". He revealed he has spent the off-season disconnecting and recharging, swapping his race car for a snowboard and motorbike to find "inner peace".
"I'm incredibly grateful for this break," Hamilton wrote. "Time to disconnect, recharge and find a bit of inner peace. Time with family and friends replenishing with rest and good laughs has been everything I needed."
The Time for Change is Now
In a clear signal of his intent, Hamilton directly addressed the need for transformation, linking it to the Chinese Zodiac's transition from the Year of the Snake to the Year of the Horse. "The time for change is now," he stated emphatically. "Starting new routines, leaving behind unwanted patterns and working on growth. Let go of things that don't serve you."
He elaborated that this process extends to a thorough review of his team, echoing comments he made in December about a vital winter of evaluation. "My surroundings in terms of personal personnel, team personnel, how you utilise people, whether people need to move into different positions to work better, all these different things need to be looked at," Hamilton explained, aiming to optimise teamwork for the coming year.
Speculation Over Engineer Partnership
This declaration immediately fuelled speculation about the future of his working relationship with race engineer Riccardo Adami, which appeared strained at times during the 2025 season. While no official decision has been announced, reports from Italy suggest that Hamilton and Adami will continue their partnership into 2026.
Concluding his message, Hamilton thanked fans for their support during the tough 2025 season and promised to apply lessons learned. "I learnt that from many of you who told me this in 2025, and I'll never forget again!" he said. "Your support means the world to me and I'm here for you too." The stage is now set for a make-or-break season as Hamilton seeks to finally realise his dream of winning a title with the famous Scuderia Ferrari.
