COUNTDOWN TO MELBOURNE—LEWIS HAMILTON’S FULL PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE FOR JANUARY AND FEBRUARY
Lewis Hamilton turns 41! Read his heartfelt message on disconnecting, the Year of the Horse, and his 2026 Ferrari test schedule.
Lewis Hamilton turned 41 this week and took a moment to reach out to his fans, sharing a heartfelt message as he looks to bounce back with Ferrari this season.
Last year was rough for him—no podiums, not even once, which is a first in his 19 years of racing. He didn’t sugarcoat it, calling the season “very draining.”
After all that, Hamilton decided to really unplug during the off-season. He spent most of his winter break in the US, far from the racetrack. On his birthday, he hopped on Instagram to talk to his 42 million followers.
He wrote, “Another return, I’m incredibly grateful for this break. Time to disconnect, recharge, and find a bit of inner peace. Time with family and friends, replenishing with rest and good laughs, has been everything I needed after a very draining year.
In a world that moves so fast, where we’re constantly being pulled in so many directions, truly disconnecting has been the most amazing feeling.”
He also mentioned the Chinese New Year—this year is the Year of the Horse. He pointed out it’s a good moment for change, for starting new routines and dropping old habits. “Let go of things that don’t serve you,” he said. “It can take time, and sometimes you can’t get rid of everything at once, but it starts with that first step. Even though the world can seem like a mess, I hope you’re staying focused on living life to the fullest.”
Hamilton also thanked his fans for sticking with him during a tough 2025, a year that brought not just tough races but also the loss of his beloved bulldog, Roscoe.
“Be you and never forget who you are,” he said. “I learned that from so many of you who told me this in 2025, and I’ll never forget again! Your support means the world to me, and I’m here for you, too. You are never alone. Let’s take it one day at a time, one step at a time.”
Looking ahead, Hamilton will be at Ferrari’s 2026 F1 car livery launch in Maranello on January 23, then hit the track at Fiorano for a shakedown. After that, there’s a private test in Barcelona from January 26 to 30, followed by two official sessions in Bahrain in February.
The season kicks off in Melbourne on March 8, and Hamilton’s still chasing that record-breaking eighth world title.
GEORGE RUSSELL ADMITS ANTONELLI IS "EXCEPTIONALLY QUICK" BUT REFUSES TO CONCEDE TITLE
Kimi Antonelli secured his 3rd straight F1 win in Miami, leaving George Russell 43 seconds behind and 20 points down in the title race. (130 chars)
George Russell isn’t flinching. He’s not ready to let go of the story, even as Kimi Antonelli keeps grabbing headlines. Antonelli’s been tearing it up this season – three straight wins, all from pole – and it’s got people talking. Miami was rough for Russell; he finished fourth, over 43 seconds behind Antonelli. That gap isn’t just big; it’s glaring, and it’s putting some real heat on their rivalry at Mercedes.
Russell isn’t pretending things are fine, but he’s not throwing in the towel either. He gets what Antonelli’s doing and gives props where they’re deserved. “He’s a fantastic driver, and he’s been fast since day one,” Russell said. “You don’t win all those championships as a kid if you’re not quick.” He means it, but he’s also drawing a boundary. Russell still believes in himself, and he’s not giving up on the championship.
“I’ve still got confidence in myself, and I haven’t forgotten how to drive,” he said with a little smile. “It’s just a tricky patch, but we’re only four races in; there’s a lot more to come. We’ll sort things out over the next few weeks.”
That “tricky patch” doesn’t just mean some tough luck; it includes a 20-point deficit and a teammate who won’t stop rewriting history. Antonelli’s winning streak has changed the vibe at Mercedes, at least for now.
Russell knows all about momentum and how it doesn’t always stick around. “He’s got momentum right now; he’s flying,” Russell admitted. “But I’ve won championships myself, and I know momentum swings back and forth all year.” He actually doesn’t seem bothered by the points gap. “Honestly, I’m not even thinking about it,” he said.
It’s a calm answer from a guy who’s been here before, leaning on experience while Antonelli rides his hot streak. Russell keeps saying 'big picture, patience, not panic'.
“I just want to get back on top of the podium,” he said. “I had the pace for the first three races, but this weekend I was nowhere close. It could have gone very differently these last few weeks, and this weekend could’ve just been a blip. But some races in Japan and China didn’t go my way. That’s how F1 goes sometimes.”
Still, confidence doesn’t erase a 20-point gap, not if Antonelli keeps cruising. If Antonelli keeps piling up wins, Russell’s going to have to fight more than just the stopwatch. Losing to your teammate over and over starts to mess with your head. Russell began the season as the guy to beat, but the longer this keeps up, the tougher it gets to grab hold of the story again.
He’s holding firm, for now. But F1 doesn’t wait for anyone. What does Russell call “just a tricky run”? Well, if momentum doesn’t swing his way soon, it could become a whole lot more than that.
MAX VERSTAPPEN TAKES FRONT ROW IN MIAMI AS RED BULL UPGRADES DELIVER IMMEDIATE RESULTS
Charles Leclerc admitted surprise at Red Bull's pace after Max Verstappen finished P2, just 0.166s behind Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli.
Charles Leclerc expected Red Bull to bounce back, but he couldn’t help admiring Max Verstappen’s raw speed at the Miami Grand Prix.
Red Bull rolled into Miami with a big upgrade, looking to recover after a rough start to the season. Verstappen, a four-time world champ, landed his Red Bull in second during qualifying. He was only 0.166 seconds behind Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes, nearly snatching pole. After qualifying, Verstappen said he finally feels like he’s back in control of his car.
Leclerc was impressed by the turnaround. “Honestly, it’s not shocking to see Kimi up there. Mercedes has been the quickest team this year, and Kimi’s been amazing these last few races,” Leclerc said. “But Max and Red Bull are coming back like this? That’s a bit more surprising. The upgrades clearly worked, and you can’t forget how strong that team really is. You never expect them to just sit back and accept a slow start.”
He added, “We figured they’d come back swinging, but to see them right back on the front row after struggling at the start… that’s something else. It’s pretty remarkable. Still, my job’s the same: beat those guys. That’s where my head’s at right now.”
Leclerc had to settle for third on the grid for Sunday’s race. Ferrari looked strong early in qualifying, but their hopes faded by Q3.
He talked about the changing conditions, but didn’t think that’s what hurt Ferrari. “The wind definitely played a part, but track temperature wasn’t all that different, so I don’t think that’s the reason,” he said. “Maybe the track changed, and we didn’t see it coming, or maybe pushing harder today in qualifying just made our car’s weak spots stand out more.”
Leclerc admitted he hadn’t dug into the numbers yet; he’d just gotten out of the car. “We’ll have to check the details to figure out exactly where we lost time.”
