Lewis Hamilton to Follow Two 'Non-Negotiable' Rules After Dismal Ferrari Debut

Lewis Hamilton has revealed two of his non-negotiable rules ahead of a crucial 2026 campaign.

Hamilton, 40, is often regarded as the greatest Formula 1 driver of all time, having won the world title on seven occasions.

However, the Brit has endured a tough spell since losing the 2021 world championship to Max Verstappen under controversial circumstances.

In 2025, Hamilton put his Mercedes career to an end by making a high-profile transfer to Ferrari.

It was expected that the Scuderia could provide Hamilton with a car capable of challenging at the front of the grid.

However, Ferrari's 2025 challenger, the SF-25, proved problematic as both Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc struggled throughout the season.

In the end, Hamilton endured a tough year, finishing in sixth place, 86 points behind Leclerc.

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Lewis Hamilton endured a tough 2025 season. Image: Getty

Ahead of what is set to be a make-or-break season for Hamilton, the seven-time world champion has been speaking about his preparation.

Although he is heading towards the end of his career, the 40-year-old is still as motivated as ever to get himself in top shape and revealed his two 'non-negotiables'.

Speaking to Men's Health, Hamilton was asked: "What are your non-negotiables when it comes to training?"

He replied: "Ice baths. Recovery is something that I never really focused on in the past. I would just do the workout and then go on with my day. So stretching and ice baths – those are the two things that I force myself to do."

When asked about how his routines have changed during his long career, Hamilton added: "It’s shifted, progressed, evolved. I still love to run – I ran this morning. I did a run which varies between six and eight miles. Then an ice bath. But before all that, stretching is the first thing I do as soon as I get out of bed.

"In the afternoon I might do a HIIT session, but I can’t really do too much weights because otherwise I get too heavy. So mostly it’s Pilates and yoga."

He continued: "Positive affirmations are probably the most important thing of all. When you’re brushing your teeth or starting your day, saying positive affirmations about how your day is going to go, what your goal is, how you’re going to feel, how you’ll approach the job or meet people. When you speak positively about yourself, your body reacts to that."