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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLewis Hamilton said his mindset has improved after a difficult 2025 season. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLewis Hamilton said his mindset has improved after a difficult 2025 season. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n
The seven-time world champion arrived at the 2026 season opener at Albert Park Circuit refreshed following an off-season he said helped him rediscover his mindset ahead of his 20th year in Formula 1.<\/p>\n
Hamilton endured the toughest campaign of his career in 2025, failing to score a podium for the first time since his debut season in 2007.<\/p>\n
The challenging year prompted a period of reflection over the winter as he stepped away from the sport before returning with renewed focus.<\/p>\n
Speaking ahead of the Australian Grand Prix, Hamilton explained the change in outlook was the result of several factors during the break.<\/p>\n
\u201cA combination of things,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe break was really positive. It was my surroundings, it was the people that I was with. It\u2019s not my first rodeo, so it\u2019s understanding how to flip things.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not that easy to do each time, but I always talk about cultivating a positive mental attitude and that\u2019s what I focus on in my winter.\u201d<\/p>\n
Training also played a significant role in his reset, with the Briton saying he returned to work early in the off-season to prepare both physically and mentally for the new campaign.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of it came from training. I was training hard from Christmas Day,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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Fans greet Lewis Hamilton as he arrives in Melbourne on Thursday. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n
\u201cAlso, knowing that I believe in myself, that I\u2019ve put more work in than anyone around me, and I believe in myself.\u201d<\/p>\n
More importantly, Hamilton admitted the winter gave him the chance to reconnect with the mentality that helped make him the most successful driver in the sport\u2019s history.<\/p>\n
\u201cRediscovering myself was a big part of it as well,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs I said in one of my [social media] posts, I kind of lost sight for a second of who I was, and that person\u2019s gone, so you won\u2019t see that person again.\u201d<\/p>\n
The reset comes as Hamilton begins his second season with Ferrari and his 20th overall in Formula 1, having made his debut at Albert Park back in 2007.<\/p>\n
With a year of experience inside the Italian team now behind him, Hamilton believes he is in a far stronger place heading into the new campaign.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s different to the first year, and it\u2019s a much nicer feeling having spent a year with the team, understanding the culture, finding ways of working together,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we\u2019re in a good place now as a team, and I feel very gelled with team, so [I\u2019m] much happier.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ferrari showed encouraging pace during pre-season testing, raising hopes that Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc could return to fighting near the front in 2026.<\/p>\n
For Hamilton, however, the focus remains simple after the lessons of last year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe goal is to win,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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