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Otmar Szafnauer has claimed that Lewis Hamilton’s ‘fear of failure’ is the driving force behind his Ferrari resurgence.
In 2025, Hamilton dominated the headlines in the Formula 1 world after his high-profile move from Mercedes to Ferrari.
However, what was described as a dream link-up turned into a nightmare after Hamilton failed to adapt to the problematic SF-25.
In the end, the seven-time world champion finished in sixth place, 86 points behind teammate Charles Leclerc.
So far in the 2026 season, Hamilton has produced some promising displays, scoring his first podium for Ferrari during the Chinese Grand Prix.
The 41-year-old is currently fourth in the championship, eight points adrift of Leclerc.
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Otmar Szafnauer says Lewis Hamilton has a ‘fear of failure’
Speaking recently on the High Performance Racing podcast, ex-Alpine team boss Szafnauer claimed that he has heard that Hamilton is driven by a ‘fear of failure’, which could be playing a major role in his resurgence.
Szafnauer said: “I’m a Lewis fan, for a couple of reasons. One, he nearly won it as a rookie, very impressive in the McLaren.
“Two, I like the fact that, unless you know him really well and I don’t know him that well, I never worked with him, but I’ve been around for a while, he works really hard, he works, works and works really hard.
“But you see him at Super Bowl or in New York at some fashion gala, you know, ‘Is he really working that hard?’ but he works hard, and he wants it.
“He’s happy, but I’ve also heard that Lewis is also driven more by the fear of failure than the happiness of winning. Doesn’t like to fail.”
When asked if it’s sad, Szafnauer continued: “Doesn’t matter what drives you, if you’re driven and you work hard and you achieve, that’s what it’s about.”
Will Lewis Hamilton score over/under five podiums in 2026?
Or exactly five? Let us know in the comments!
READ MORE: Nelson Piquet Jr thinks Lewis Hamilton does not have the same ‘passion’ as Fernando Alonso
Lewis Hamilton needed ‘equilibrium of balance’ to enjoy Formula 1
Speaking about Hamilton’s upturn in form, ex-Ferrari race engineer Rob Smedley stated that the Brit is now in a much happier place than last year.
He said: “He’s happy. That’s what he needs, right? He’s always needed that. He’s always needed that equilibrium of balance to enjoy what he is doing.
“He is someone who sometimes has to remind himself of what he has achieved, but then, when you see him happy, when he delivers, he is happy. I don’t know whether he’s happy because he is delivering or because he is delivering because he is happy. Who knows?
“Definitely, it was an uncomfortable situation for him last year, I don’t think he’s got on with the ground effect cars very well at all and there’s probably a reason for that.”
It can be said that Hamilton is looking much more comfortable in the SF-26, and if Ferrari’s intended upgrades work as planned, the Brit could soon register his first victory for the Scuderia.
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