Lewis Hamilton has revealed he will race with a neck injury at the start of the 2025 Formula 1 season. The seven-time world champion British driver undertook a three-day private test program with the SF-23 in Barcelona in January 2025 in preparation for his first season with Ferrari; however, he crashed hard into a wall on the second day and damaged one of the discs in his neck.
Nine weeks of pain and sleep problems.
Hamilton recounted the events at a press conference before the Austrian Grand Prix: “Last year I hit the wall very hard during testing. I dislocated one of the discs in my neck, which was pressing on a nerve. For about nine weeks I could barely do anything. I went to a chiropractor every day, I was physically challenged every day, I couldn’t sleep. I took painkillers, I got injections, I did everything I could to fix it. It’s not easy living with that in the driver’s seat.”
Hamilton, 41, finished the 2025 season without a podium finish, a result he suffered while sidelined by injury. He finished sixth, 86 points behind teammate Charles Leclerc, his worst performance in 19 F1 seasons.
Regaining momentum after the Barcelona victory.
Hamilton made these remarks after securing his first victory in a Ferrari uniform at the previous race, the Barcelona Grand Prix. This win, his 31st attempt, signals a more competitive period for him with the new Ferrari, a team whose development he has contributed to.
As of the Austrian weekend, Hamilton is 41 points behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli and nine points ahead of third-placed George Russell. Russell described Hamilton as a "big threat" in the championship fight.
However, Hamilton emphasized that he wasn't aiming for the championship: "I don't think I'm competing for the championship. I came to Austria and I want to win this weekend, that's my only goal. I've spent the whole week preparing for it. I haven't even gone out to eat. You make the sacrifices you need to make to come here 100% ready."“