Lewis Hamilton has never been one to shy away from criticism. Instead, he has used it as a driving force to push himself forward.
The seven-time world champion, now embarking on a fresh chapter with Ferrari, has made it clear that negative remarks, including those from former F1 figures like Eddie Jordan and Bernie Ecclestone, do not shake his resolve. On the final day of pre-season testing in Bahrain, Hamilton reiterated that such critiques only add to his motivation.
Throughout his illustrious career, Hamilton has been no stranger to scrutiny. However, he remains unbothered, focusing instead on his personal growth and pursuit of excellence.
“In our sport, criticism is something that everyone receives,” he acknowledged.
“I have probably received a lot more of it perhaps throughout my career but I just keep my head down, doing what I’m doing. I know that I’m growing each day, I’m bound to make mistakes, I’m only human but one thing that I’m proud of is I have a drive, a focus.”
His ability to acknowledge mistakes and use setbacks as lessons has been a hallmark of his success.
“I’m able to admit when I’m wrong and I know that tomorrow I will work to be better and it really doesn’t matter to me some of the comments that have come up over my career… I use that as fuel,” he added.
This mindset will be crucial as he steps into a new era with Ferrari, leaving behind a 12-year tenure with Mercedes that saw him clinch six drivers’ championships.
Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari has generated immense anticipation, not just among fans but within the F1 paddock as well. The move comes at a time when Mercedes has struggled to adapt to the post-2022 regulations, while Red Bull, McLaren, and Ferrari have closed the gap at the front. Despite the challenges, Hamilton is approaching his debut season with the Italian team with renewed energy and confidence.
Following the conclusion of three days of pre-season testing, Hamilton expressed a strong sense of optimism about the SF25. His gut feeling about the car and his new team’s operations is overwhelmingly positive.
“I would say this is the most positive feeling that I’ve had in a long time,” he admitted.
“I feel like in this period of time we’ve built a really good foundation but everyone, you know these guys out there, look really, really quick, really competitive.”
While the true pecking order will only be revealed once the racing begins, Hamilton remains encouraged by the hard work of his Ferrari colleagues.
“It looks very very close. We won’t know obviously until next week truly, exactly where we stand but we know that we’ve got work to do and everyone is just heads down and I’ve been really inspired and really encouraged by my colleagues,” he stated.
With the new season on the horizon, Hamilton’s hunger for an eighth world championship remains as strong as ever. His ability to channel criticism into motivation, coupled with his initial confidence in Ferrari’s potential, sets the stage for an intriguing and potentially historic campaign.
