Post by : Maya Rahman

Lewis Hamilton has announced he will fully disconnect during Formula 1's winter break after enduring a challenging inaugural season with Ferrari. The seven-time world champion made the switch from Mercedes this year, sparking high expectations among fans and analysts. Given that Ferrari had finished second in the constructors’ standings last season, there was hope that Hamilton could contend for an eighth title, but the year unfolded quite unexpectedly.

Hamilton faced one of the hardest seasons of his career, failing to podium in any Grand Prix for the first time. His frustrations compounded towards the end of the season with three consecutive early qualifying exits. Before the final race in Abu Dhabi, he expressed feeling an “unbearable amount of anger” after qualifying in 16th place. Although he crossed the finish line in eighth, he emphasized the need for a complete mental reset.

Hamilton shared that he does not intend to engage with anyone during the winter, even planning to forego his phone entirely. He expressed the desire to “unplug from the matrix” and completely avoid communications. Unlike his usual habit of keeping his phone close, this time he joked about wanting to “throw it in the bin,” emphasizing how mentally drained he feels and that a full break is essential for his well-being.

His teammate Charles Leclerc, who achieved seven podiums and finished fifth overall, also voiced his disappointment. Ferrari ended the season without a single race victory, and Leclerc noted that with new Formula 1 regulations set to be enacted, the upcoming season will be a “now or never” probe for the team. The last time Ferrari clinched a Drivers’ Championship was in 2007, when Kimi Raikkonen took the title, and this year they finished fourth, below their anticipated standing.

Team principal Fred Vasseur responded to the discontent among the drivers with a calm demeanor, stating that every team faces similar hurdles. He highlighted that whether the team comes in first or tenth, the objective remains to learn and enhance performance. Ferrari now looks toward preparing for the next season with aspirations of reclaiming competitive form, placing a strong emphasis on driver performance, team spirit, strategy, and results.

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