ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Lewis Hamilton has expressed that he “massively underestimated” the impact his decision to leave Mercedes for Ferrari would have on his relationships within the team, a place where he achieved six out of his seven Formula 1 championships.

Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari, set to take effect in 2025, marks the end of the most successful collaboration between a driver and a team in Formula 1 history. This announcement, made in February, has overshadowed a challenging season with Mercedes, which has included two victories but also several disappointing results.

“I expected it to be tough, but I didn’t foresee just how challenging it would turn out to be. It strained relationships from the very beginning and took time for everyone to adjust,” Hamilton shared on Thursday. He added that this year has been emotionally taxing for him, which he feels has hindered his ability to manage those emotions effectively.

As he prepares for his final race with Mercedes at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Hamilton recounted an incident where a post-announcement paintball game left him with “loads of bruises.” He remarked, “People really went after me that day.”

Hamilton mentioned that he is actively working on improving how he navigates difficult personal circumstances, especially given the strain felt in his relationships this season.

“You’ve all seen both the worst and the best sides of me, and I won’t apologize for either because I’m only human and I don’t always get things right,” he stated. “This year has definitely been one of the toughest when it comes to managing those aspects, and I am striving to enhance that. However, I remain hopeful that the positives and high points will surpass the lows and how I’ve chosen to react.”