Lewis Hamilton was not psychologically affected by Ferrari\u2019s early switch of focus to F1 2026, but admits their 2025 struggles left them at a difficult point which he had not expected.<\/p>\n
Ferrari decided to switch off development of their 2025 car, the SF-25, all the way back in April, this a car which failed to record a single Grand Prix win. Hamilton<\/a> had not expected the struggles to be that stark by season\u2019s end, but, he does not regret Ferrari\u2019s decision. After all, he \u201cwas the one pushing for it\u201d.<\/p>\n Lewis Hamilton admits Ferrari\u2019s 2025 more challenging than expected<\/p>\n Ferrari was restricted to seven Grand Prix podiums across the 2025 campaign, all scored by Charles Leclerc. The team\u2019s only form of 2025 race victory was recorded by Hamilton in the China Sprint.<\/p>\n Considering the huge reset coming for F1 2026, with new chassis and engine regulations on the way, Ferrari took the decision in April to focus fully on next season\u2019s creation.<\/p>\n Ferrari particularly struggled in the second-half of F1 2025, scoring just two podiums via Leclerc after the summer break.<\/p>\n Hamilton was asked by PlanetF1.com, and other accredited media, whether that early end to developing the SF-25 had a psychological impact on him, in what was a disappointing first season with Ferrari.<\/p>\n \u201cIt didn\u2019t have a psychological effect on me, personally,\u201d he confirmed.<\/p>\n \u201cDid I know at the end of the year we\u2019ll be where we are? No. We anticipated it, but it felt worse, naturally.<\/p>\n \u201cBut I was the one pushing for it. It\u2019s like, we can\u2019t fall behind the others in terms of that development for the new car, because it\u2019s a steep learning curve for all of us. And so I supported it 100 per cent.<\/p>\n \u201cI still do think it was the right decision, particularly with where we were already with the car. We weren\u2019t fighting for a championship.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t answer the question for the rest of the team. I think everyone\u2019s stayed really positive, in my experience, so I\u2019ve not seen a psychological impact.\u201d<\/p>\n More on Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari from PlanetF1.com<\/p>\n Think Lewis Hamilton regrets his move to Ferrari? Just wait until 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Has Max Verstappen pinpointed the reason for Lewis Hamilton\u2019s Ferrari struggles?<\/a><\/p>\n The build-up to F1 2026 will be intense. The first test will be a behind-closed-doors visit to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya from 26-30 January. The public and media will then have access to two Bahrain tests, the first held from 11-13 February, and 18-20.<\/p>\n Hamilton was asked, at the Abu Dhabi GP, when his 2026 work begins.<\/p>\n \u201cIt already really starts next week,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019ve already been working in the background on 2026 over the several months.<\/p>\n \u201cNext week I\u2019ll already be in the sim working on the next car. Obviously, we\u2019re doing the [post-season] test, which is on the next season\u2019s tyres, and training probably will be before Christmas already.<\/p>\n \u201cThe break is the shortest that we\u2019ve ever had. Not going to be getting really much recovery time from this season.\u201d<\/p>\n Leclerc and Hamilton will continue to front the Ferrari charge in F1 2026.<\/p>\n Additional reporting by Mat Coch and Thomas Maher<\/p>\n Want to be the first to know exclusive information from the F1 paddock? Join our broadcast channel on WhatsApp<\/a> to get the scoop on the latest developments from our team of accredited journalists.<\/p>\n You can also subscribe to the PlanetF1 YouTube channel<\/a> for exclusive features, hear from our paddock journalists with stories from the heart of Formula 1 and much more!<\/p>\n