Lewis Hamilton: My debut season at Ferrari an 'emotional rollercoaster'

Lewis Hamilton has described his first season at Ferrari as “volatile” and an “emotional rollercoaster” ahead of his Italian Grand Prix debut in red.

Hamilton heads into this weekend’s race in Ferrari’s backyard a week after he crashed out in Zandvoort and still awaiting his first podium for the Scuderia.

The 40-year-old’s hopes of a strong result at Monza’s Temple of Speed have also been hit after he received a five-place grid penalty for a yellow flag infringement prior to last Sunday’s race.

Hamilton is 42 points behind Charles Leclerc in the world championship and has been out-qualified by his team-mate 10 times so far – and beaten him in only two of the 15 races – since he made the switch from Mercedes to the Italian giants.

“It’s been an emotional rollercoaster,” said Hamilton. “What can I really say? Did I expect it to be as volatile in terms of the feeling? No, but that’s life.

“And I’d like to think that even though we had a difficult Sunday (in Zandvoort), we are coming towards the brighter end of the tunnel.

“I read something recently where it said: ‘There’s no point stressing about tomorrow because it often puts shade on the present’.

“So I’m really trying not to worry about tomorrow. I’m really trying to be present and enjoy every moment because this half of the season has gone by really quickly.

RACE