Lewis Hamilton revealed that he tried to get more information about the current Formula 1 landscape after pre-season testing in Bahrain. The Briton contacted Toto Wolff and Zak Brown, but was unable to get concrete answers about the teams’ performance.
Read more F1: Red Bull confident with new engine for race in Melbourne
According to Hamilton, the attempt to better understand the landscape before the Australian GP did not bring practical results: “Little emerged from the tests, as everyone hid their fuel levels,” he told the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera. “I called Toto at Mercedes and Zak at McLaren to try to understand what they learned, but I didn’t get any results,” he said.
The 2026 season marks a significant overhaul of the category, with smaller cars, lower downforce, active aerodynamics, and more electrified power units, including combustion engines powered by biofuel. After the tests, the general perception is that Mercedes, McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull Racing form the main group, although the pecking order remains undefined.
Even without clear answers from competitors, Hamilton showed confidence in Ferrari’s structure: “I’m sure of one thing, after what we went through last year, we can handle any situation. This team has everything to win, we need to do the work together with the fans. It’s easier said than done, but I came to Ferrari because I believe in it, and I still believe,” he added.
Read more F1: Szafnauer, ex-Alpine, takes over as CEO of Formula 2 team
The seven-time champion had a difficult 2025 in his debut season for the Italian team, the first of his career without podiums in Formula 1 GPs. Still, the tests in Bahrain indicated good pace for Ferrari, especially in race simulations, which fuels positive expectations for the start of the championship.
Determined to fight back, Hamilton highlighted that he intensified his physical preparation during the break, stating that it was the period in which he trained the most in his entire career. The goal is to return to the title fight and seek his eighth world championship.
Read more F1 TV expands team and resources for the 2026 Formula 1 season
