Hamilton reveals hidden injury and mental battle after maiden Ferrari win

Lewis Hamilton has revealed he raced with a concealed injury for months during his first year at Ferrari, enduring his most demanding winter training program to overcome the physical setback and mental toll of last season's criticism before breaking through with his emotional maiden win in Barcelona.

Why it matters:

Hamilton's Barcelona victory quieted skepticism about his move to Ferrari after a difficult 2025. His admission that he carried an injury from early last season reframes those struggles as a physical battle rather than decline, while his candor about the mental weight of negativity underscores the resilience required to rebound from a high-profile team change.

The details:

• Silent struggle: Hamilton picked up the injury early in 2025 and kept it quiet through a disappointing season, revealing the burden only after his Barcelona triumph.
• Winter mission: From Christmas Day, he committed to his hardest physical preparation yet after deliberately unplugging from online criticism to focus on family and close friends.
• Core belief: Hamilton stressed never second-guessing himself, reconstructing the winning mentality that defined his championship years.
• Fan dedication: In an emotional Instagram post, he dedicated the win to Team LH and the Tifosi, admitting dark moments when negativity felt overwhelming and crediting their support for keeping him fighting.

What's next:

With his first Ferrari win secured, Hamilton now looks to build momentum through the rest of 2026. If his physical condition and rebuilt mentality hold alongside continued car development, this Barcelona breakthrough could prove the catalyst that launches him back into genuine title contention.