Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali has revealed that he spoke with Lewis Hamilton after the Hungarian Grand Prix and offered some strong advice to the legendary Brit. According to the Italian, he mustn’t ‘let himself be carried away by negative thoughts’. The 2025 season has been a rollercoaster ride for Hamilton, who is realising a lifetime dream to drive for Ferrari.
However, since scoring a surprise sprint race victory in China, the 40-year-old’s form has dipped, and heading into his first Italian Grand Prix with the Scuderia, the pressure is on to turn his results around. While an error-induced DNF in Zandvoort sparked concern, the weekend as a whole was an improvement on the Hungarian GP, which was a low point in Hamilton’s glittering career. He described himself as “absolutely useless” while speaking to Sky Sports F1 after qualifying, and urged Ferrari to “change driver”.
After these comments, Hamilton spoke with F1 CEO Domenicali, who, as a former Ferrari team principal, understands the challenges of driving for the team. “Without beating around the bush, I believe Lewis did not imagine he would have to face such a difficult start to the season,” he explained.
“We are talking about a champion with great experience. I think the situation will be different in the future, but I was very struck by that moment of humanity that emerged from the statement he made during the weekend at the Hungaroring.
“After that episode, we met and talked. It was a moment of human weakness linked to the difficulties he is encountering in a context that has probably turned out to be more complex than expected. But his character will come through, and he will react together with the team.
For the latest breaking stories and headlines, sign up to our Daily Express F1 newsletter, or join our WhatsApp community here.
“I think he is in an important phase of his career. He has taken on a new challenge with the aim of making history by winning with Ferrari, and this must continue to be his goal. Lewis must not let himself be carried away by negative thoughts because he is a great champion; he must continue to fight for that extraordinary goal he has set for himself.”
After a catastrophic weekend at the Dutch Grand Prix, it is critical that Hamilton bounces back in Monza. Last time out, the Brit crashed after a mistake at Turn Three, while team-mate Charles Leclerc was forced to retire after a collision with Kimi Antonelli at the same corner.
The double-DNF means Ferrari’s lead over Mercedes in the Constructors’ Championship standings has been trimmed to just 12 points, with George Russell’s fourth-place finish in Zandvoort reducing the arrears.