Lewis Hamilton has disclosed that he suffered a significant neck injury during a private Formula 1 test with Ferrari in Barcelona in January of last year. The injury, which involved a disc being knocked out of place and impacting a nerve, occurred after he hit a wall very hard during testing.
The seven-time world champion initially hinted at an injury sustained at the same track following his victory at the 2026 Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix but did not provide specific details at the time. He later elaborated on the extent of the injury during media day ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix weekend.
Details of the Injury and Recovery
Hamilton explained that the injury left him unable to do much for approximately nine weeks. He required daily chiropractor and physiotherapy sessions and struggled with sleep. The Briton also mentioned needing painkillers and injections to manage the condition, which he carried for months.
The injury was particularly challenging given the demands of his seating position in a Formula 1 car. He stated that he did everything possible to try and fix the issue, highlighting the persistent nature of the problem throughout his debut season with Ferrari.
Last season marked Hamilton’s first with Ferrari after his decision to leave Mercedes. He faced difficulties during this period, with teammate Charles Leclerc outperforming him. The season concluded without Hamilton securing a podium finish, a first in his F1 career.
Return to Form and Team Cohesion
Despite the challenges of his debut season, Hamilton’s recent win in Barcelona suggests a resurgence in his performance. The team has been actively developing a more competitive package, with both major and minor details aligning. He is currently 41 points behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli early in the season.
Ferrari has consistently worked on improving its car, with an ADUO upgrade recently introduced. Hamilton praised the team’s collaborative efforts, noting that everyone is contributing and pushing harder than before. He highlighted the cohesive and tight-knit working environment under the leadership of Fred Vasseur, Ferrari’s team principal.
He observed that the improvements requested by the team are materialising, evident in Barcelona and at the current venue. The team has made significant efforts to enhance the engine, which, while not a complete overhaul, represents a step forward. Hamilton emphasised the importance of continuous incremental progress.
Reflections on the Barcelona Victory
Recalling the final laps of the Barcelona race, Hamilton admitted to keeping his fingers crossed, hoping the car would finish. He mentioned experiencing various mechanical failures in the past, including gate-box failures, engine failures, hydraulics issues, battery problems, and brake failures, underscoring the fragility of racing machinery.
His focus during those critical moments was on keeping the car on track and making careful decisions regarding braking and turning points. He recognised the importance of securing points for the team’s position in the constructors’ standings. However, he consciously avoided thinking about victory until the very last corner.
Hamilton described how he pushed thoughts of winning out of his mind until he was past the finish line. Even as he approached Turn 12 and saw the crowd, he reminded himself that there were still two corners remaining. It was only after rounding the final corner and seeing his team that he fully acknowledged the job was done.
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Source: nytimes.com
George Hartwell is the Senior Football Correspondent at News-GB.org, covering the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side with twelve years of reporting experience. He reported on West Country football before national coverage. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from the University of the West of England and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Bristol, he watches grassroots football and writes a tactics column. “Tactics tell you more than any scoreline.”