Lewis Hamilton: Ferrari driver says ‘time for change is now’ as he makes pledge on his forty first birthday forward of 2026 F1 season

Lewis Hamilton says “the time for change is now” after a “very draining year” as he despatched a message to his followers on his forty first birthday.

Hamilton turned 41 on Wednesday as he prepares for his second season at Ferrari following a disappointing first marketing campaign the place he failed to complete on the rostrum for the primary time in his Method 1 profession.

The seven-time world champion mentioned he would “unplug from the matrix” throughout the low season however made a pledge and made a reference to Chinese language New Yr by saying we’re “entering the Year of the Horse” – one of many 12-year cycle of Chinese language zodiac indicators.

“Another return. I’m incredibly grateful for this break. Time to disconnect, recharge and find a bit of inner peace,” he wrote on Instagram.

“Time with household and mates replenishing with relaxation and good laughs has been every thing I wanted after a really draining 12 months. In a world that strikes so quick the place we’re always being pulled in so many instructions, actually disconnecting and has been essentially the most wonderful feeling.

“I’m conscious that we’re entering the Year of the Horse and leaving behind the Year of the Snake. The time for change is now. Starting new routines, leaving behind unwanted patterns and working on growth.”

Throughout a difficult 2025, Hamilton described final 12 months as “the worst season ever” and a “nightmare” as he completed sixth within the F1 Drivers’ Championship.

Hamilton was largely outperformed by team-mate Charles Leclerc, who completed on the rostrum seven occasions, however seems looking forward to a stronger 2026.

He continued: “Let go of things that don’t serve you. This can take time, there will be things you can’t get rid of immediately, but it starts with the first step. Even though the world can seem like a mess, I hope that you’re staying focused on living life to the fullest.

“Be you and always remember who you might be. I learnt that from a lot of you who instructed me this in 2025, and I will always remember once more! Your help means the world to me, and I am right here for you too. You might be by no means alone. Let’s take it someday at a time, one step at a time.”

Leclerc: Now or by no means for Ferrari

Following final season’s finale in Abu Dhabi, Leclerc mentioned the key change of Method 1 rules forward of this season implies that “it’s now or never” for the Italian crew to ship a championship contending automotive.

Having narrowly completed Constructors’ Championship runners-up to McLaren in 2024, Ferrari went into 2025 hopeful of claiming a primary title since 2008 however fell massively quick as they ended a massively disappointing marketing campaign fourth within the crew standings.

Leclerc and Hamilton might not less than take comfort from the truth that new chassis and engine rules for 2026 imply this 12 months’s kind e-book ought to theoretically be fully irrelevant when the motion resumes, with pre-season testing on the finish of January in Barcelona and two extra checks in Bahrain in February, forward of the Australian Grand Prix on March 6-8.

“It’s tough, but at the same time, I think the whole team is hugely motivated for next year,” mentioned Leclerc, who has been at Ferrari since 2019.

“Because it’s such a big change, a huge opportunity to show what Ferrari is capable of and it’s now or never. So, I really hope that we will start this new era on the right foot, because it’s important for the four years after.”

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