F1 news: Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton says it’s ‘time for change’
Lewis Hamilton has entered 2026 with a statement that reflects both honesty and resolve.
As the Ferrari driver celebrated his 41st birthday on January 7, he shared a personal message with fans that captured the emotional weight of the past season and his determination to move forward.
After what he described as a very draining year, Hamilton summed up his mindset with a simple but powerful line, saying that the time for change is now.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s Noah Ngcobo looks at how Lewis Hamilton’s reflective birthday message signals a personal reset and a potentially defining year ahead for both the seven-time world champion and Ferrari.
A season that tested even a seven-time champion
Hamilton’s first year with Ferrari in 2025 proved to be one of the toughest campaigns of his career.
For the first time in Formula 1, he went through an entire season without finishing on the podium.
He ended the year sixth in the Drivers’ Championship and was consistently outpaced by team-mate Charles Leclerc, who managed multiple top-three finishes.
Reflecting on the campaign, Hamilton openly acknowledged how difficult it had been, previously calling it a nightmare and the worst season he had experienced in the sport.
The challenge of adapting to a new team, combined with an uncompetitive car, left him searching for answers as results failed to match expectations.
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‘The time for change is now’
In his first public message of the new year, Hamilton spoke candidly about the need to reset.
He explained that stepping away from the pressures of F1 allowed him to disconnect, recharge, and regain perspective after such a demanding season.
It was in that context that he delivered the line that has come to define his outlook for 2026, stating clearly that the time for change is now.
Hamilton framed this change as both personal and professional. He spoke about starting new routines, leaving behind unwanted patterns, and focusing on growth.
While acknowledging that change does not happen overnight, he stressed that it begins with a single step and a willingness to let go of what no longer serves a purpose.
Finding balance away from the track
During the winter break, Hamilton shared moments from a quiet holiday spent with family and friends.
Images of him snowboarding and enjoying time with his niece offered a rare glimpse into a more relaxed side of the Ferrari driver.
He described those moments as essential in helping him recover from the physical and mental strain of the previous year.
According to Hamilton, the act of slowing down and disconnecting from the constant noise of the world brought a sense of inner peace.
That balance, he believes, is key as he prepares to return to one of the most competitive environments in sport.
Ferrari facing a defining moment
Hamilton’s personal reset aligns with a critical period for Ferrari.
After finishing narrowly behind McLaren in the Constructors’ Championship in 2024, the Italian team entered 2025 with title ambitions.
Instead, they endured a frustrating campaign and dropped to fourth in the standings.
Leclerc has since described the upcoming regulation changes as a decisive opportunity.
With F1 introducing new chassis and engine rules in 2026, he believes this moment represents a now-or-never chance for Ferrari to establish itself at the front and set the tone for the next era.
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New regulations bring renewed opportunity
The sweeping technical changes mean that past performance may offer little indication of what lies ahead.
Pre-season testing in Barcelona and Bahrain will provide the first real signs of where teams stand before the season opens in Australia in March.
For Hamilton, the reset could work in his favour. He has been more closely involved in the development of Ferrari’s 2026 car, raising hopes that the new machinery will better suit his driving style.
After struggling to unlock performance from last year’s car, the clean slate offers a genuine chance to turn the page.
A veteran ready to reinvent again
At 41, Hamilton remains one of the most experienced drivers on the grid, yet his recent words suggest a hunger to evolve rather than dwell on past success.
By declaring that the time for change is now, he has set the tone for a season built on reflection, growth, and renewed belief.
For Ferrari, the coming year will test whether promise can finally be turned into performance.
For Hamilton, it is another opportunity to prove that reinvention is possible, even after a career that has already rewritten the record books.
