Hamilton to 'throw phone in the bin' after painful first Ferrari F1 season

Lewis Hamilton is ready to put the 2025 Formula 1 season behind him and will throw his phone "in the fricking bin" to disconnect during the winter break.

The seven-time champion's first season at Ferrari ended with a charge through the midfield from 16th on the grid to eighth place, having caught Esteban Ocon before being stuck behind the Haas driver.

It capped a frustrating campaign for the British driver, with the only highlight his sprint race win in China, as he failed to secure a grand prix podium all season for the first time in his career.

Discussing his season after the Abu Dhabi GP, he said: "At the moment, I'm only looking forward to the break. Just disconnecting, not speaking to anyone.

"No one's going to be able to get a hold of me this winter. I won't have my phone with me. I'm looking forward to that. Just completely unplugged from the matrix."

Asked if he had taken that approach in a winter break previously, he added: "Not particularly. I wouldn't say that. No, I've generally always had it around, but this time it's going in the fricking bin."

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

The Ferrari driver is also keen to take a break from the additional responsibilities he has as a driver.

"Disconnect? I'll find out when I do it," he said, when asked how important the disconnect will be for him.

"But I can't wait to get away from all this. Every week, photoshoots and all that kind of stuff. That's the thing I look forward to one day, not having to do it all."

Hamilton took no comfort from his recovery drive to eighth place in Abu Dhabi, a result, coupled with Andrea Kimi Antonelli failing to score points, meaning he finished sixth place in the final F1 standings.

"I don't particularly feel relieved, no," he added. "I feel fine. I feel pretty fresh. I'm just looking forward to the break. I've said all I can about this season already, so there's not much more to add to it. Just move forward."