Photo: Race Pictures

Lewis Hamilton relaxes in New York after podiumless Ferrari year

07:35, 21 Dec

Updated: 09:15, 21 Dec

byOlly Darcy

After a challenging debut season with Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton is unwinding by spending his Christmas break in the United States of America.

The seven-time World Champion, who could only finish the 2025 campaign in P6 in the championship standings, travelled to New York to rest and relax before preparation for the 2026 season gets underway.

Hamilton shared several photos of his time in the 'Big Apple', with the Brit also spending time with other high-profile celebrities, including the actor Michael B. Jordan.

"My favourite city. NYC is such an inspiring and insightful place. I’m so grateful to spend time here every year, where it’s so easy to reflect and tap into our shared creativity and humanity," the 40-year-old said on Instagram.

The seven-time World Champion made the seismic move from Mercedes to the Scuderia for the 2025 season, bringing one of the great team and driver partnerships in F1 to an end after winning six of his titles at the German team.

However, Hamilton struggled behind the wheel of the SF-25 all year, missing out on a Grand Prix podium for the first time in his 19-year career in the pinnacle of motosport.

The Brit could only finish with 186 points, 86 points behind teammate Charles Leclerc.

2026 preparation begins for Hamilton

After a dismal debut season with Ferrari, all eyes will now be focused on 2026 after the Christmas break, with Hamilton stating that there have been 'several months of work already' to prepare for next season.

Some of that work to focus on the major regulation overhaul that comes into effect in 2026 resulted in some early stoppages in aerodynamic development, hindering Ferrari's 2025 performance.

However, despite this, there is not much faith from Hamilton regarding the news regulations, issuing a warning to the fans about the machines that will be on the grid next year.

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