Formula 1 fans were left holding their breath after Lewis Hamilton’s dramatic words in Budapest, where he suggested he might be sacked from Ferrari, his £60million-a-year ride.
Fast forward three weeks, and it’s as if that tension never existed.
Ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix, Hamilton was all smiles on the top deck of Ferrari’s motorhome, clearly back in fighting form and ready to enjoy racing again.
Finding the Fun in Racing Again
The summer break seems to have given Hamilton a reset.
He’s determined to reclaim the joy that first drew him to the track.
“I feel determined to and motivated to, yes.
We’re going to work hard, keep our heads down, try to change a few things in our approach and start to enjoy ourselves,” he said.
After a season weighed down by pressure and frustration, Hamilton admits he’s been reminded why he loves what he does.
“There was so much pressure in this first half of the season. It’s not been the most enjoyable.
I am remembering that we love what we do. We’re all in this together and I’m trying to have some fun,” he added.
Russell Weighs In on Hamilton’s Future
At Mercedes, George Russell, Hamilton’s former teammate, dismissed talk of retirement as nonsense.
“He was talking nonsense,” Russell said of the seven-time world champion.
The message is clear: Hamilton is far from done.
Despite a rough start at Ferrari – 14 races without a podium and only two finishes ahead of teammate Charles Leclerc – there’s still belief in his enduring talent.
Hamilton currently trails Leclerc by 42 points, but the question remains whether he can rediscover the magic given the right car and team support.
Russell Confident in Hamilton’s Legacy
Russell isn’t worried. “He’s the greatest driver of all time,” he said, noting that while most drivers are already looking toward 2026, Hamilton thrives on the immediate challenge.
“That is what Lewis lives for, not just getting points.”
Mercedes Contract Talks Heating Up
Meanwhile, Russell’s own future is under discussion at Mercedes.
The 27-year-old is in line for an extension worth around £30million a year.
With Max Verstappen committed to Red Bull next season, Russell has more leverage than ever to shape the terms to his liking.
“The summer break was a good time for me to think about my whole situation – what I want for my future, not just on track but what happens off track,” he explained.
“There is a lot more to my job than just driving a car on a Sunday afternoon.
Those conversations have been picked up this week, not through the break. That was more my decision.
Toto and the team were willing to work through the summer to come to a resolution.
But I just wanted to take time off. Those two weeks are precious for me.”
Russell confirmed discussions with team principal Toto Wolff are ongoing.
“We’re getting closer to being on the same page.
We are talking a number of weeks before anything is signed.
There is no timeline on it. If it is next week, one month or two months, it will be what it is.”
A Season of Redemption for Hamilton
With Hamilton refocused and Russell negotiating his future, Mercedes fans have plenty to watch as the F1 season continues.
For now, the message is clear: Hamilton is racing not just to compete, but to rediscover the thrill that made him a legend.
