Lewis Hamilton has revealed that a sense of “complacency” and “comfort” at Mercedes was a driving factor behind his decision to make a high-profile switch to Ferrari, insisting he remains fully committed to making the move a success despite a difficult start.
The seven-time world champion ended a decade-long partnership with Mercedes at the end of last season, signing with Ferrari in a move that was hailed as one of Formula 1’s biggest transfers in recent memory.
Hamilton described it as a dream step — one he had long considered — but acknowledged that part of his motivation was to step outside his comfort zone after years of familiarity in Brackley.
“I’m the type of person… I don’t like to get complacent and be comfortable, and that’s really kind of where I was with the long-term relationship I had before,” Hamilton explained.
Lewis Hamilton has revealed that a sense of “complacency” and “comfort” at Mercedes was a driving factor behind his decision to make a high-profile switch to Ferrari, insisting he remains fully committed to making the move a success despite a difficult start
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“Taking this step into a team that I truly believe in — and I still believe in the potential here and what we can achieve together — is something I needed.
"But no one succeeds without going through those tough patches, so I do welcome it, looking forward to the sunnier days for sure.”
Hamilton’s results so far, however, have not matched the excitement surrounding his move.
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He remains without a podium in Ferrari colours and sits 46 points adrift of team-mate Charles Leclerc in the drivers’ standings.
The Briton has been vocal about his struggle to adapt to Ferrari’s SF-25, describing the car as feeling “alien” compared to the machinery he became accustomed to at Mercedes.
Asked if he had ever experienced a similar disconnect with a car before, Hamilton was unequivocal.
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Lewis Hamilton endured a difficult last few years with Mercedes | GETTY
“Many,” he said. “I never just got in and just won — there were always difficult times.”
Hamilton’s comments underline his determination to turn things around, with the Ferrari project still in its infancy.
The 40-year-old believes the team can fight at the front once they unlock more performance from their current package.
The move to Maranello marked the first time Hamilton had left a team by choice since departing McLaren at the end of 2012.
His partnership with Mercedes yielded six drivers’ titles, eight constructors’ crowns and 82 race wins, cementing him as one of the sport’s greatest ever drivers.
But after two winless seasons and Mercedes’ struggles to adapt to F1’s ground-effect regulations, Hamilton chose to take a leap of faith with Ferrari.
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Lewis Hamilton has struggled since leaving Mercedes for Ferrari
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Despite the early frustrations, Hamilton insists he has no regrets.
“I truly believe in the potential here,” he said. “Everyone in the team does. It’s about building, working through the challenges and coming out stronger on the other side.”
Ferrari will be hoping Hamilton can deliver a breakthrough result in the coming rounds as they look to close the gap to Red Bull and McLaren in both championships — and finally give the British superstar the podium finish Scuderia fans have been waiting for.