Lewis Hamilton stated that he is experiencing a much more positive moment at Ferrari, after facing an extremely difficult season in his debut with the Italian team in Formula 1 in 2025. The seven-time world champion revealed that adapting to the Ferrari environment took longer than he expected, but highlighted that the internal changes made for 2026 completely transformed the scenario.
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Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari in 2025 was treated as one of the biggest recent moves in Formula 1, bringing together two of the most important names in the category. However, the first year of the partnership fell short of expectations, mainly due to the British driver’s difficulties in adapting to the behavior of the SF-25.
The British driver faced different problems throughout last season. Among them were communication issues with then race engineer Riccardo Adami, and aerodynamic characteristics of the car that directly contradicted his driving style.
The difficulties ended up affecting Hamilton’s performance and also his emotional state during the year. At several points in the season, the Briton showed frustration in the face of eliminations still in Q1, while seeking answers to the problems faced within the Italian team.
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For 2026, however, the scenario changed significantly. According to Hamilton, the SF-26 adapts much better to his characteristics as a driver, in addition to Ferrari having made important changes in the way of working both on the track and in the factory: “I am in a really happy place,” Hamilton told the press. “With the team, it took a long time for us to adjust, on both sides, and it was a difficult season last year with a car that we were not developing.”
The Briton also highlighted that Ferrari went through a broad internal overhaul. According to the seven-time world champion, the changes implemented completely changed the work dynamics within the team: “We made many changes internally, both within the team and in the way we operate in the factory, and it is at the best possible level in terms of how we work together. Maybe there are too many compromises with sponsors, but other than that, it is really very good,” concluded the Formula 1 champion.
The statements make it clear that Hamilton is in a much more comfortable environment compared to the disappointing 2025 campaign. The competitive performance of the SF-26 and the internal changes promoted by Ferrari appear as central factors for the driver’s recovery this season.
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