Lewis Hamilton Reveals Severe Neck Injury Sustained in Early 2025 Preseason Testing Crash

While the Formula 1 circuit is currently in Austria for an event at the Red Bull Ring, attention has also been drawn to a recent revelation from Lewis Hamilton regarding an injury he sustained. This comes just two weeks after his impressive victory at the Spanish Grand Prix.

The win in Spain marked the British driver's 106th career Grand Prix triumph and his inaugural victory with Ferrari, the team he joined for the 2025 season. Many viewed this win as a resurgence, initially attributing it to overcoming a challenging start to the 2025 season for both Hamilton and Ferrari.

However, it has now become clear that his return to form involved overcoming a far more serious hurdle.

Hamilton Discloses Severe Neck Injury

In early 2025, Hamilton participated in a private preseason test with Ferrari where he was involved in a crash. While the incident was reported at the time, the full extent of the injuries was not made public until recently.

The accident, which coincidentally occurred at the same Barcelona circuit where Hamilton secured his recent victory, resulted in a significant neck injury. "I hit the wall very hard last year in testing," Hamilton stated, as reported by The Athletic. "Knocked out one of the discs in my neck, which was into the nerve. So, I couldn’t do a lot for like nine weeks."

During his recovery period, Hamilton recounted undergoing daily chiropractic sessions and facing difficulties with sleep. He also mentioned requiring pain medication and an injection to manage the discomfort. "I had painkillers, I had to get an injection," he explained. "I did everything I could to try to fix it."

Remarkably, despite the severity of his injury, Hamilton proceeded to participate in preseason testing and several races within that nine-week recovery window.

The Extreme Demands on F1 Drivers

Formula 1 drivers undergo rigorous training specifically to strengthen their necks, enabling them to withstand the immense G-forces experienced during high-speed races. Navigating these intense conditions with a significant injury like a slipped disc would have presented an extraordinary challenge.

Looking ahead, Hamilton aims to build on his Spanish Grand Prix success with another strong performance in Austria. His initial practice sessions on Friday saw him finish in fifth place in both outings. Notably, he concluded both sessions ahead of his teammate, Charles Leclerc.