Lewis Hamilton has fiercely defended his dedication to Formula 1, stating he “wakes up thinking about driving,” following public criticism from Ferrari chairman John Elkann.
Elkann recently told Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc to “focus on driving and talk less” after the team suffered a double retirement at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Responding before the Las Vegas GP, Hamilton pushed back against suggestions he needs to focus more.
“I wake up thinking about it, and I go to sleep thinking about it,” Hamilton declared, noting that this season has been his busiest year yet, with more time spent at the factory than ever before.
He insisted he took no offense, understanding Elkann’s passion, and confirmed they speak multiple times a week, emphasizing that the team is “really together.”
Despite a difficult debut season with only one sprint race win and no podiums, Hamilton reaffirmed his long-term commitment.
“I back this team 100%, I back myself 100% and I know that when we get things right it is going to be amazing,” he said, acknowledging that steering the massive organization in a new direction “takes real time.”
