Hamilton enters 20th Formula 1 season with renewed belief and a mission beyond the track

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton says he feels “younger than ever” as he begins his twentieth season in Formula 1, insisting his ambition remains unchanged. Winning.

Speaking during the FIA press conference in Melbourne on Thursday ahead of the opening round of the season, Hamilton reflected on the work completed over the winter and the motivation that continues to drive him two decades into the sport.

“I think we got great mileage done in winter testing. An amazing amount of work has been done from the team back at the factory, but also delivering on those tests. We've learned a lot from last year.”

The focus, he explained, has been on leaving the frustrations of the previous campaign behind while building on the lessons learned.

“We're leaving behind the bad and moving forward with the good. I think we're sharp. Prepared. And we know what we need to do.”

Hamilton acknowledged the coming season will present new challenges for everyone on the grid, particularly with regulations that place greater emphasis on how drivers manage the deployment of electrical energy throughout a lap.

“There are massive challenges for all of us with the new rules and regulations,” Hamilton said, pointing to the complexity of managing energy deployment under the hybrid power units.

He explained that even small decisions behind the wheel can have a significant impact on lap time. A slight lift of the throttle in a single corner can create a chain reaction through the rest of the lap as drivers balance harvesting energy and deploying power.

At some circuits drivers may not need to lift and coast at all, while at others they may be forced to do it repeatedly, even during qualifying. Managing that balance correctly can make the difference between a competitive lap and losing nearly a second if the deployment cycle falls out of sync.

Hamilton also pointed to the strong pace shown by rivals during pre-season testing while suggesting that the true competitive picture may not yet be clear.

“Mercedes look particularly quick and I'm not really sure whether or not we've seen the full unleashed Red Bull yet. So it's really, really exciting.”

Despite the uncertainty, Hamilton expressed confidence in the group around him and the direction of the team.

“I feel like I've got a great group of people behind me who are head down, focused on bringing performance.”

A veteran who feels renewed

Reaching twenty seasons in Formula 1 might suggest a driver nearing the twilight of his career. Hamilton says it feels quite the opposite.

“I don't feel like this is my 20th year. I feel younger than ever somehow. I feel very fresh.”

The winter break was anything but quiet. Hamilton revealed he returned to training almost immediately after the holidays.

“I was training hard from Christmas Day.”

He also spoke candidly about rediscovering his self belief after briefly losing sight of himself.

“I believe in myself. I've put more work in than anyone around me. I kind of lost sight for a second of who I was and that person's gone, so you won't see that person again.”

Eyes firmly on victory

For Hamilton, the ambition for the new season remains clear.

“The goal is to win. Of course that's what everyone is working towards, every team is. But our goal is to maximise every opportunity.”

While it is still too early to judge the true competitive order before cars even take to the track in Melbourne, Hamilton believes the pieces are beginning to fall into place.

Fighting for a race in Africa

Beyond the championship fight, Hamilton continues to push for a cause that stretches far beyond the racetrack. The return of Formula 1 to the African continent.

For years he has been advocating for a race there, noting that Africa remains the only inhabited continent without a Grand Prix.

“I've been fighting in the background to get a Grand Prix. Maybe six or seven years now. Maybe even longer.”

He continues to raise the question with decision makers across the sport.

“I'm sitting with stakeholders asking why are we not in Africa. We're on every other continent, so why not Africa?”

Hamilton hopes progress can be made before his career comes to an end.

The issue is deeply personal. The British driver spoke proudly about his connection to the continent and his recent visits to Benin, Senegal and Nigeria.

“I've got family roots from a few different places there. It's something I'm really proud of. I'm really proud of that part of the world.”

He described Africa as “the most beautiful part of the world” and believes its potential is often overlooked.

“They have all the resources to be the greatest and most powerful place in the world.”

A champion rediscovering himself

As the new season begins in Melbourne, Hamilton arrives with twenty years of experience and a renewed sense of purpose.

Earlier this year he shared a message with fans reflecting on the work he has done away from the spotlight and the mindset shift that followed.

“I kind of lost sight for a second of who I was,” he admitted. “That person's gone, so you won't see that person again.”

If that rediscovered version of Hamilton translates onto the track this season, the rest of the grid may soon be reminded that the champion who dominated Formula 1 for years is still very much here and still chasing victories.