Lewis Hamilton Unfollows Ferrari and Clears Instagram Amid Tough S…read more
Lewis Hamilton has surprised fans by unfollowing everyone on his Instagram account — including his own team, Ferrari — as part of a sweeping reset of his social media presence. The seven-time Formula 1 world champion, who boasts nearly 40 million followers on the platform, removed all accounts from his “following” list on Tuesday morning. Among those he unfollowed were his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc and even his beloved dog Roscoe.
The timing of the social media cleanse is notable, as it comes just days before the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola — Ferrari’s home race. It also follows a disappointing start to Hamilton’s debut season with the Italian team. In the first six races of the 2025 campaign, Hamilton has yet to finish higher than fifth and currently sits seventh in the drivers’ standings, trailing Leclerc by 12 points. Leclerc has also outqualified him in five out of six Grands Prix so far, increasing the pressure on the British driver.
Hamilton’s lackluster performance has not gone unnoticed, attracting criticism from high-profile figures in the F1 world. 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve suggested that Ferrari fans — famously passionate and demanding — may soon grow impatient with Hamilton’s slow adaptation to the team. Villeneuve added that Ferrari is unlikely to give the 40-year-old much leeway to find form.
Echoing those sentiments, former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher went even further, speculating that Hamilton might not see out the full length of his Ferrari contract, which runs through the end of the 2026 season. Schumacher suggested that, unless results improve significantly, Hamilton could walk away from Ferrari before fulfilling his two-year commitment.
Despite the criticism, Hamilton has made it clear that he’s determined to turn things around. He has pledged to keep working on his performance and hopes to help return Ferrari to race-winning form. The Briton is no stranger to adversity or social media detoxes. After his controversial defeat to Max Verstappen at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Hamilton similarly wiped his Instagram follows — a move that at the time sparked speculation about his mental state and future in the sport.
Hamilton explained earlier this year that disconnecting from social media is part of how he maintains focus during tough times. “I don’t really read the news, and I go for long, long periods without social media,” he said in an interview. “I’m not being bombarded with all the stuff on social media, so I’m kind of living in my own little bubble in my head.”
This latest Instagram cleanse may be another effort by Hamilton to eliminate distractions and reset mentally ahead of a crucial phase of the season. The upcoming race at Imola is particularly significant, as it marks the first time Hamilton will drive for Ferrari in front of the Tifosi on their home soil. The pressure is immense, with fans expecting strong results, especially after Ferrari’s strong finish to the 2024 season raised hopes for a championship challenge in 2025.
So far, however, Hamilton’s partnership with Ferrari has struggled to gain traction. Questions about the car’s compatibility with his driving style and internal team dynamics remain unanswered. While Leclerc appears to have adjusted well to this year’s SF-25 car, Hamilton has looked uncomfortable and inconsistent.
As speculation swirls and criticism mounts, Hamilton’s social media move may serve as a symbolic gesture — a line in the sand to mark a fresh start. Whether it will translate into improved results on the track remains to be seen, but all eyes will be on him at Imola, where he’ll have the chance to silence critics and begin writing a new chapter with the Scuderia.
