Lewis Hamilton received support from Emerson Fittipaldi in the fight for the title in the 2026 Formula 1 season. The former driver and two-time F1 champion believes that the Ferrari driver has regained his best form and hopes to see him fighting for the championship until the end of the season.
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After a first year of adaptation to the Italian team in 2025, Hamilton currently holds second place in the drivers’ championship. For Fittipaldi, the Briton’s performance in the current season answered the criticisms that arose when many doubted his ability to compete at a high level against teammate Charles Leclerc.
In an interview with F1.com, Fittipaldi highlighted the evolution of the seven-time world champion: “I was very happy to see Lewis and Ferrari going fast. I remember last year. This happened to me in IndyCar and F1, when you get older people start saying: ‘He can’t drive anymore.’ Everyone criticized Lewis last year,” he said.
The Brazilian recalled that many claimed Hamilton would not be able to surpass Leclerc because of his age, but he believes the scenario has completely changed: “Now he is very strong. This is good for the category, it is good for the fans. Seeing Ferrari winning again and Lewis winning again is fantastic,” he said.
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According to Fittipaldi, another important factor is the new technical regulations, which introduced smaller cars with less aerodynamic load. For him, this setup demands more skill from the drivers and favors Hamilton’s talent in car control, in addition to the experience gained in his second year working with Ferrari engineers.
Looking ahead to the rest of the season, Fittipaldi hopes Hamilton remains in the title fight until the final stages: “I really hope Lewis challenges for the championship. It would be extremely good to see Lewis and Ferrari even stronger, fighting with Mercedes,” he added.
The Brazilian also praised Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur, recalling the time they worked together in A1 Grand Prix: “I have a lot of respect for Fred Vasseur. He did a great job and I think now he knows the Italians very well. That can make a difference in the second part of the season,” he concluded.
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