Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton said he competed for a significant portion of the start of the 2025 Formula 1 season while dealing with a neck injury. The origin of the problem was an incident that occurred during Ferrari’s pre-season tests, held in Barcelona.
The British driver was participating in a private training session, using older cars from the Italian team, when he suffered a strong impact aboard an SF-23. According to his words, the collision resulted in the displacement of a cervical disc, compressing a nerve and compromising his preparation for the championship.
“Last year, I hit the wall really hard during testing. It dislocated one of the discs in my neck and affected a nerve.”
Hamilton reported that for a period of approximately nine weeks, his activities were extremely limited. He needed daily visits to the chiropractor, constant physical therapy sessions and had difficulty sleeping.
“So for about nine weeks, I couldn’t do virtually anything. I went to the chiropractor every day, had physical therapy daily, and couldn’t sleep.”
In order to continue competing, the pilot explained that it was necessary to undergo a series of medical treatments.
“I was taking painkillers, I had an injection and I did everything I could to try and solve the problem.”
“Basically, I lived with it. It’s not easy to sit in that position in the car.”
This recent statement helps to elucidate some of the challenges faced by the driver in his debut year with Ferrari. In 2025, Hamilton ended the championship in sixth place overall, with 86 points less than Charles Leclerc. Furthermore, he recorded an unusual feat for his successful career, finishing an entire season without achieving even a podium, something unprecedented in his career in Formula 1 and which demonstrates the seriousness of his physical condition.
However, the panorama changed significantly in 2026.
After a more promising start to the championship, the British competitor achieved his first victory for Ferrari at the recent Spanish Grand Prix, ending a streak of almost two years without triumphing in Formula 1.
Hamilton attributes this notable improvement to progress in the development of the SF-26 model and the modifications implemented by the team in recent months.
Despite currently occupying second place in the championship, the driver stated that he is not yet focused on competing for the world title.
“Honestly, I’m not thinking about competing for the championship.”
“I’m focused on getting there and I want to win this weekend. That’s my goal.”
“This is what I’ve been working towards all week, last week and this week. I didn’t even go out to dinner.”
The British athlete emphasized that his top priority is to extract the car’s maximum potential and help Ferrari maintain the positive momentum that followed their victory in Barcelona.
“It’s about putting your head down and making the sacrifices necessary to achieve 100% and perform well for all these people.”
“Especially knowing the scope of it all, the impact of the decisions I make in the car and what we do here. Those are the things I think about.”