Lewis Hamilton has regained momentum and motivation at the start of the 2026 season with Ferrari, culminating in his first podium with the Maranello team: a third-place finish at the Chinese Grand Prix, behind the two Mercedes.
Damon Hill, the 1996 world champion, has closely observed Hamilton’s performance in this early phase of the year. According to Hill, the British driver appears transformed, as if he had “wings on his feet,” showing a lightness and renewed energy in both his movements and his approach to racing. Hill attributes this resurgence to the improved feeling Hamilton has with the current car, made possible by the new technical regulations introduced this season.
In previous seasons, the cars often challenged the seven-time world champion, negatively affecting both his performance and morale. Damon Hill described Lewis Hamilton’s recent years as a period of deep frustration followed by personal reconstruction. Now, he emphasizes, Lewis Hamilton has returned with a noticeable new verve in his pace.
The spark of victory
Damon Hill stressed a key trait of Hamilton’s character: give him even just a taste of victory, and he changes completely. He summed it up succinctly: “Just give him the smell of victory, and soon you’ll see a new Hamilton.” The characteristics of the 2026 cars—with lower grip levels and a dynamic behavior different from the stiff ground-effect cars of previous generations—allow Hamilton to manage the flow of downforce more naturally and exploit the car’s aerodynamic nuances. This enables him to “play” with the car in a more instinctive and aggressive way.
Comparisons with the past and Hamilton’s own words
Johnny Herbert, former F1 driver and co-host of the podcast Stay on Track with Hill, highlighted the stark contrast between Hamilton’s driving this season and his performances in recent years. Lewis Hamilton himself openly stated that he can adopt a more aggressive driving style in the new car. Herbert recalled how difficult it was to push previous ground-effect cars to the limit, where excessive aggression often led to loss of control.
Today, both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc seem to find more comfort with these characteristics. Herbert cited the Briton directly: “I saw a comment where Lewis Hamilton said he can be more aggressive with the cars.” He added a broader reflection on the decisive role of rediscovered feeling: “It’s incredible how the sensation in the cockpit of a particular car can make such a difference in how the driver reacts.”
Rebound after difficulties
Hamilton’s last years at Mercedes were marked by frustration, leading to doubts about his own abilities and an evident drop in form. The move to Ferrari initially intensified these challenges. Only the technical specifications of the 2026 car, which align particularly well with his driving style, have created the ideal conditions for a clear turnaround. Hill and Herbert agree that the positive feeling in the cockpit is the key factor behind this resurgence.
This renewed comfort allows Hamilton to express his competitive potential at the highest level once again. The next major test, the Japanese Grand Prix, will serve as a benchmark to see if this phase of growth continues with the same intensity.
Lewis Hamilton’s 2026 campaign is therefore proving that a driver’s elite status is often a product of the synergy between man and machine. While the previous era stifled his natural aggression, the Ferrari SF-26 seems to have invited it back. Based on the content of recent technical analyses, the “wings” Hamilton is currently sporting might just carry him back to the top step of the podium before the season is out.
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