Hamilton Embraces New Ferrari Car with Personal Input
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has expressed optimism about his position with Ferrari, stating that he feels more connected to the new car, which he says carries his "DNA." After a challenging debut season with Ferrari, Hamilton is now upbeat about the 2026 Formula 1 season.
Hamilton's first year at Ferrari was marked by disappointment. For the first time in his career, the seven-time champion did not secure a podium finish and ended the season sixth in the drivers' championship, trailing his teammate Charles Leclerc, who finished fifth. Towards the end of the year, Hamilton was openly critical of the team's performance, describing the season as a "nightmare."
However, Ferrari showed promise during pre-season testing this year. At the third and final test in Bahrain, Hamilton appeared positive and optimistic about the upcoming season, having spent the winter regrouping.
"I’ve obviously gone through quite a bit and you know left everything, all of last year behind me," he said. "I spent a lot of time rebuilding over this winter, refocusing, really getting my body and my mind to a much better place. I generally feel personally in the best place that I’ve been in a long time with rearranging things within my team."
Last year, Hamilton joined Ferrari at the end of a stable regulation period with a car that was already designed. This season, having been with the team for a longer period, he has had the opportunity to contribute to the development of the new model.
"Last year we were locked into a car that ultimately I inherited," he explained. "This is a car that I’ve been able to be a part of developing on the simulator for the last 10 months, eight months and so like a bit of my DNA is within it, so I’m more connected to this one for sure."
Commitment to Ferrari's Long-Term Project
Hamilton emphasized his commitment to Ferrari's long-term vision despite the difficulties faced in 2025.
"My belief in the team is still absolutely the same," he said. "I understand the faith in this team and what they’re capable of and that’s why I joined the team."
"I knew it wasn’t gonna be an overnight thing where we’d have success immediately, that’s why I signed a longer deal, because I knew it was a process and I feel like we’ve also learned a huge amount from last year as a team."
FIA to Address Mercedes Engine Controversy
In related Formula 1 news, the sport’s governing body, the FIA, announced plans to resolve the ongoing dispute regarding Mercedes's use of a regulatory loophole concerning the compression ratio of their engine. Mercedes is believed to have gained an advantage by exploiting a higher compression ratio than the mandated 16:1, measured when the engine is "cold" or at ambient temperatures.
Other engine manufacturers have expressed concerns about what they perceive as an unfair advantage, although it remains within the letter of the regulations. Following a meeting of the power unit advisory committee, the FIA has approved a proposal to amend the rules effective 1 August—after 13 of the season’s 24 races—so that the compression ratio will also be measured at a representative operating temperature of 130°C.
The proposal will be voted on within the next 10 days and requires a super-majority of five out of seven votes from the committee, which includes representatives from the FIA, Formula 1, and the five engine manufacturers: Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull, Audi, and Honda.
