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F1Feature
Lewis Hamilton Reveals Intense Ferrari Factory Schedule During F1ās Five-Week Pause
TL;DR
Lewis Hamilton revealed he didn't take a break during F1's five-week pause, instead focusing on intense training and factory visits with Ferrari. He emphasized the importance of using the time to prepare rather than relax.
Key points
- Lewis Hamilton did not take a break during F1's five-week pause
- He focused on training and factory visits with Ferrari
- The break followed cancellations of two Grands Prix
- Hamilton emphasized the importance of preparation over relaxation
- His first season with Ferrari influenced his current approach
Mentioned in this story
Ferrari
Lewis HamiltonMiami Grand Prix
Most of the F1 grid treated April as a break. After the cancellations of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix due to the conflict in the Middle East, drivers, teams and fans were handed a five-week, 35-day gap between races ā the kind of unscheduled hole in the calendar that, in any normal year, would mean a holiday somewhere with no Wi-Fi. Lewis Hamilton, ahead of this weekendās Miami Grand Prix, made it clear he did the opposite.
Asked about the layoff, the seven-time champion pushed back on the idea of time off. āI didnāt really have a break,ā he said. āItās been interesting like, people looking at it as a break. Weāve been just given more time to focus.ā
He then ran through a checklist that sounded less like a vacation and more like a pre-season camp: factory visits every week, training, physios, chiropractors, recovery, sport. āI didnāt take any time off. Just really focusing on it.ā
Why Maranello Mattered More Than a Beach
Hamilton is in his second season at Ferrari, and the first one was rough enough that he isnāt pretending otherwise.
He went the entire 2025 season without a Grand Prix podium for the first time in his career, was outqualified by Charles Leclerc 19 to 5, and finished 86 points behind his teammate. 2026 has started better ā he needed just two attempts this year to get the grand prix podium that eluded him 24 times last season ā but the Japan weekend was a reminder that the integration work isnāt finished.
Suzuka was a clear step behind Leclerc throughout the weekend, even if the gap was smaller than in 2025.
āObviously, the last race, I could see I was down on power,ā he told Crash.net. āWe did a deep dive and could understand that it wasnāt the engine, but the systems altogether, including several things coming together to lose me 8-9 tenths in straightline power. We got on top of that, worked in the sim, Iāve been at the factory every week, been training a huge amount, and I feel refreshed for this weekend.ā
Q&A
What did Lewis Hamilton do during F1's five-week break?
Lewis Hamilton focused on factory visits, training, and recovery instead of taking a vacation.
Why is the five-week pause significant for F1 teams?
The pause allows teams to regroup and strategize, especially after the cancellations of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix.
How did Hamilton's first season with Ferrari impact his approach this year?
Hamilton's challenging first season with Ferrari motivated him to intensify his focus and preparation during the break.
What activities did Hamilton mention in his intense schedule?
Hamilton mentioned factory visits, training sessions, and working with physios and chiropractors as part of his schedule.