Lewis Hamilton declared “the time for change is now” in a self-motivating birthday social media post. The seven-time Formula 1 champion turned 41 on Wednesday and celebrated the milestone by revealing what he has been up to since his miserable first Ferrari season finally ended last month.
Having for the first time endured a full F1 season without standing on a single podium, Hamilton swapped his race car for a snowboard and hit the slopes. Hamilton was also pictured on a motorbike and said he has made a point of switching off after what he called “a very draining year”.
He wrote: “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 and has been the most amazing feeling.
“I’m conscious that we’re entering the Year of the Horse and leaving behind the Year of the Snake. The time for change is now. Starting new routines, leaving behind unwanted patterns and working on growth. Let go of things that don’t serve you. This can take time, there will be things you can’t get rid of immediately, but it starts with the first step.”
Hamilton promised at the end of last season that he would conduct a full review of his camp going into a crucial year for his dream of succeeding with Ferrari.
“My surroundings in terms of personal personnel, team personnel, how you utilise people, whether people need to move into different positions to work better, all these different things need to be looked at in my personal space so that we can optimise our teamwork,” he said.
It was immediately suggested that he could request a change of race engineer, after his seemingly tense relationship with Riccardo Adami made headlines on many occasions last season. No decision has been communicated publicly, though reports from Italy suggest Hamilton and Adami will continue to work together.
He went on to thank fans for their support in a difficult 2025 and said he will follow some of their advice as he bids for glory in red over the next 12 months. Hamilton added: “Even though the world can seem like a mess, I hope that you’re staying focused on living life to the fullest.
“Be you and never forget who you are. I learnt that from 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.”