Lewis Hamilton revealed important changes in his relationship with Ferrari and showed himself extremely excited for his second year at the Scuderia in the 2026 Formula 1 season. After a difficult 2025, marked by a problematic car and no GP podiums, the seven-time champion demonstrated a new perspective for the future with the Italian team.
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The Briton stated that last season was challenging, but that he now feels much more at ease with Ferrari: “I feel completely different from my first year. Now, with the time I’ve spent with the team, I understand the culture and the way of working better. I feel we are in a good place, working very well together. I am much happier and more connected with the team,” he said.
Hamilton highlighted the difference in Ferrari’s work culture compared to the teams he was with previously (McLaren and Mercedes), and highlighted how much communication and rapport with the team have improved: “I think we had many meetings and discussions, and communication has evolved naturally over time. I spent a lot of time at the factory last year and I continue to dedicate myself to showing my commitment,” he stated.
Speaking about the development of the SF-26, Hamilton also expressed his satisfaction with the car, which was developed with his input: “I felt that I added a bit of my ‘DNA’ to the car, and that made me more connected to it. The SF-26 already gives me a much more positive feeling than the SF-25, which was much more problematic.”
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He also commented on the team’s growth, with Ferrari abandoning the development of the SF-25 to focus on the SF-26, and highlighted the progress observed in the Bahrain tests: “It’s not the fastest car, but it has shown much more consistent characteristics, with an impressive pace in long runs and a very fast start to the race,” he added.
Hamilton revealed that the joint work and mutual trust with Ferrari have only increased since last year, and that he is much more prepared for the challenges of 2026: “I feel we are more prepared this year and that makes me very excited. The confidence I had when choosing Ferrari has never been stronger,” the experienced British driver concluded.
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