\n<\/p>\n
Hamilton ended his 11-year stint at Mercedes in 2024, joining Ferrari for the 2025 season.<\/p>\n
The 40-year-old’s debut season in red has been difficult, with Hamilton sixth in the standings. <\/p>\n
“There’s just been so much to do and so much to learn. It’s definitely tough when we’re all working for something and then you fall back,” he said.<\/p>\n
“It’s like we’re climbing up a mountain, then you arrive at the weekend and you kind of slip a few steps back or 10 steps back. You have to then get back up and try again the next time.<\/p>\n
“I’ve backed this team 100% and I back myself 100%. I know that when we get things right, it’s going to be amazing, and I can’t wait for that moment because I’d love to see what you’re going to write after that.<\/p>\n
“I truly believe that’s what’s going to happen. I’m just not losing sight of that, even through the difficult days that we’ve had.”<\/p>\n
Hamilton won the sprint race at the second grand prix of the season in China but has failed to land a podium finish this year. Team-mate Leclerc has scored seven podiums.<\/p>\n
But the novelty of racing for Ferrari has not waned for Hamilton. <\/p>\n
“I still pinch myself, honestly, that I’m in red, that I get to drive a Ferrari and get to represent so many of these amazing people that you don’t get to see back at the factory,” he said.<\/p>\n
“I joined this team knowing full well that it takes time to steer a ship in a different direction.<\/p>\n
“This is a huge thing. It’s a huge organisation. There’s so many moving parts. You can’t fix it in the click of a finger. It takes real time.<\/p>\n
“It’s not been what any of us wanted in terms of a season, with the troubles that we’ve had and the results that we’ve had. We’ve just continued to push on, full steam.”<\/p>\n
Despite his difficulties, Hamilton says his first campaign at Ferrari has “reminded me how resilient I am”. <\/p>\n
“I back this team 100%, I back myself 100% and I know that when we get things right it is going to be amazing,” said Hamilton. <\/p>\n
“I cannot wait for that moment and I truly believe that will happen and I am not losing sight of that even with all the difficult days we have had.”<\/p>\n
Leclerc said Elkann called him on the morning after the Sao Paulo GP to tell him he was planning to make the comments.<\/p>\n
“John called me to catch up and said the message he wanted to send was a positive one, that we want to do better,” Leclerc said.<\/p>\n
“I have always tried my best. I will try to do better. That is the priority in the team and what we want to do.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n