Emerson Fittipaldi believes Formula 1’s new generation of cars has played an overlooked role in Lewis Hamilton’s impressive 2026 Ferrari resurgence. According to the two-time world champion, the smaller cars and reduced downforce place greater demands on the driver, allowing Hamilton’s natural car control and feel to become increasingly influential.
The seven-time world champion has transformed his fortunes after a difficult debut campaign with the Maranello team. Hamilton has already claimed several podiums in 2026, including a memorable victory at the Spanish Grand Prix, and entered the summer break 50 points behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli.
New F1 regulations help explain Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari resurgence
Speaking in an interview with F1.com, Fittipaldi expressed his delight at seeing Hamilton and Ferrari competing near the front again. The Brazilian also drew a comparison with his own career, recalling how calls for a driver to retire often intensify with age regardless of the ability that remains.
Fittipaldi noted that Hamilton faced widespread criticism during his first Ferrari season, with doubts raised over whether he could still compete at the highest level or defeat Charles Leclerc. The 2026 campaign has offered a powerful response, with the Briton emerging as Antonelli’s closest championship challenger and giving Ferrari another victory to celebrate.
The former world champion argued that the characteristics of the new cars have contributed significantly to that turnaround. With smaller dimensions and lower downforce, the latest machinery is more difficult to drive quickly in Fittipaldi’s assessment, placing greater emphasis on individual skill.
That environment appears well suited to Hamilton’s strengths. Fittipaldi highlighted the British driver’s exceptional talent, car control and ability to understand how the machinery is behaving. The technical demands of the SF-26 have remained substantial, as illustrated by analysis of Ferrari’s principal performance limitation in Hungary, but Hamilton has looked far more comfortable during his second year in red.
Greater Ferrari familiarity has strengthened Hamilton’s challenge
Fittipaldi also identified continuity inside the team as an important part of the improvement. Hamilton now knows Ferrari’s engineers, working methods and internal systems considerably better than he did during his debut season, giving him a stronger foundation from which to influence the car and extract its performance.
The results have placed the seven-time champion back in a meaningful title contest for the first time since his controversial 2021 defeat to Max Verstappen. Although the 50-point deficit to Antonelli remains significant, an assessment of the opportunities Hamilton and Ferrari missed before the summer break shows how penalties, contact and strategic setbacks have contributed to the gap.
Ferrari have nevertheless made clear progress. The team has recorded two victories and nine podiums across the opening 11 Grands Prix, while Hamilton has contributed five of those podium finishes. Even so, Frédéric Vasseur’s mid-season assessment underlined that the Scuderia must achieve more if it is to overturn Mercedes’ advantage.
Damon Hill praises Hamilton’s competitive drive and influence
Former world champion Damon Hill was equally impressed by Hamilton’s revival. Hill suggested that the Briton’s deeply ingrained competitive nature means he is unlikely to accept fading into a supporting role, regardless of his age or previous achievements.
In Hill’s view, Hamilton’s progress reflects the work completed over the winter and his determination to make the Ferrari suit his requirements. He argued that the seven-time champion has used the influence earned through his reputation and accomplishments to explain what he needs from the car rather than simply adapting to every existing Ferrari method.
Hill considered that approach entirely justified. Ferrari committed substantial resources to signing Hamilton, and the Briton has responded by working to protect his competitiveness and shape the team’s technical direction around the qualities that helped him win seven world championships.
Fittipaldi and Hill therefore offered complementary explanations for the turnaround. The 2026 regulations may have increased the value of Hamilton’s feel and car control, while a full year inside Ferrari has given him the knowledge and authority required to influence the project more effectively. The remaining challenge is converting that resurgence into enough points to catch Antonelli, whose advantage can be followed in the latest Formula 1 drivers’ standings.
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