Lewis Hamilton stated “there will be some tears” for him throughout Formulation 1’s summer season break as he admitted his first season with Ferrari has “been a real battle”.
Hamilton made a blockbuster swap to Ferrari after 12 years with Mercedes, however the seven-time world champion has endured a vastly underwhelming begin to life with the Italian crew.
The 40-year-old has but to attain a grand prix podium after 13 of the season’s 24 rounds, whereas he has additionally not too long ago spoken about how arduous he’s pushing to encourage the structural modifications he believes are required to finish a Ferrari title drought that stretches again to 2008.
Chatting with the media forward of the ultimate race earlier than the break in Hungary on this weekend, Hamilton stated: “The final god is aware of what number of seasons have been arduous in their very own manner. This one has positively been essentially the most intense one, I’d say, simply from a piece perspective.
“Integrating into a brand new tradition and into a brand new crew. It is not gone easily in all areas, and it has been an actual battle.
“I definitely need to get away and recharge, be around the kids, laugh, let go. I’m sure there’ll be some tears at some point and I think that’s really healthy.”
Hamilton’s most memorable Ferrari show thus far got here as he claimed Dash pole and victory on the second spherical of the season, however brilliant spots have been uncommon since.
He’s 30 factors behind team-mate Charles Leclerc within the drivers’ standings, with the Monegasque having claimed 5 podiums already this season.
Regardless of his struggles, Hamilton reiterated his willpower to make a hit of his time with Ferrari.
He continued: “But I’m always excited to race. I love what I do, I love being in red, I love working with this team, I have such belief in this team.
“It is actually arduous to clarify. I already had it quite a bit after I was in my earlier crew. Over time, you actually construct that camaraderie, and I see the eagerness on this crew and I find it irresistible.
“All I wish to do is contribute the most effective that I can. In fact I would like to do this totally on monitor, and I am not at all times hitting that, but in addition within the background.
“I see there’s things that we can always improve and there’s things that I can improve on. I’m just really excited for this break.
“I believe for everyone, significantly the fellows on the manufacturing facility, they will positively get pleasure from this time with their household after which we’ll come again further energised for the second half.”
‘I think about podium streak every day!’
Hamilton admitted that the longest run of his career without a grand prix podium, which is now at 15 races stretching back to last season, is regularly on his mind.
Asked whether it bothers him, he initially jokingly said “no”, before giving a serious response.
“In fact it does,” he said. “I give it some thought on daily basis.”
Many consider this weekend’s race in Hungary might provide a significant alternative to finish the streak, with Ferrari’s SF-25 probably being properly suited to a circuit at which Hamilton has gained eight occasions and was additionally the scene of his final grand prix pole place in 2023.
Nevertheless, the Brit is cautious of creating any daring predictions having not too long ago been unable to get on the rostrum at different venues the place he has a powerful file, resembling Montreal and Silverstone.
Hamilton advised Sky Sports activities F1: “We’ve gone to other tracks where it’s been the same, like Montreal, and it’s not gone well. I’m not really in that frame of mind.”
Hamilton’s probabilities final weekend in Spa had been ruined by exits within the first a part of each Dash and full qualifying, though he did impressively combat again from beginning 18th to complete seventh.
He added: “Of course I would like to get a good result. I think ultimately trying to get through qualifying in a better manner. I learnt a lot through the race, as difficult as the weekend was.
“I used to be on the sim yesterday [Wednesday], and I typically wish to assume we will have a greater start line this weekend.
“Hopefully there are no new items that should be catching us out, so fingers crossed it should be a better weekend.”
Sky Sports activities F1’s Hungarian GP Schedule
Friday August 1
8.50am: F3 Follow
10am: F2 Follow
12pm: Hungarian GP Follow One (session begins at 12.30pm)
1.55pm: F3 Qualifying
2.50pm: F2 Qualifying
3.35pm: Hungarian GP Follow Two (session begins at 4pm)
5.15pm: The F1 Present
Saturday August 2
9am: F3 Dash
11.15am: Hungarian GP Follow Three
1.10pm: F2 Dash
2.15pm: Hungarian GP Qualifying build-up*
3pm: Hungarian GP Qualifying*
Sunday August 3
7.25am: F3 Characteristic Race
8.55am: F2 Characteristic Race
10.40am: Porsche Supercup Race
12.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Hungarian GP build-up*
2pm: The HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX*
4pm: Chequered Flag: Hungarian GP response
*additionally on Sky Sports activities Primary Occasion
F1 heads to the Hungarian Grand Prix for the ultimate race earlier than the game’s summer season break, watch reside on Sky Sports activities F1 from Friday. For Sky clients, Sky Sports activities F1 is now discovered on channel 407. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime