Lewis Hamilton Banking on 2026 Rule Changes to Revive Ferrari Formula 1 Dream
Lewis Hamilton’s debut season with Ferrari has not gone to plan, and the seven-time world champion is gradually shifting his hopes toward the sweeping regulatory changes arriving in Formula 1 for the 2026 campaign.
After completing the first ten race weekends of the 2025 season without a single podium finish, Lewis Hamilton’s frustrations are mounting. His Sprint Race victory in China had briefly sparked optimism, but it has since proven to be a false dawn. While he managed a top-three result in the Miami Sprint, his performance in the Grand Prix itself was underwhelming, finishing only eighth.
The 2026 Formula 1 regulations are set to bring one of the most significant technical overhauls in the sport’s modern history. These changes will affect both engine and chassis specifications, and many see them as an opportunity for struggling teams and drivers to reset.
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur, under increasing pressure due to the team’s lackluster 2025 form, is counting on next year’s rule changes to place Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc in a far stronger position. However, Ferrari’s recent decision to divert resources away from their 2026 car development to focus on short-term improvements to the SF-25 may backfire, potentially leaving them ill-prepared for the upcoming transition.
Motorsport pundit Alex Brundle has recently weighed in on the matter and expressed skepticism about Hamilton’s chances of benefitting from the upcoming regulatory shift. Speaking on The Intercooler Podcast, Brundle shared that he doubts whether the 2026 rules will play to Hamilton’s strengths.
Brundle remarked that the current generation of cars, introduced with recent technical tweaks, already seems to limit Lewis Hamilton’s effectiveness. He pointed out that Mercedes’ earlier dominance was built around an advanced rear suspension system, which allowed the seven-time F1 world champion to maintain platform stability under braking—enabling him to drive aggressively without overheating the tyres.
According to Alex Brundle, this stable aerodynamic platform was key to Lewis Hamilton’s driving style, allowing for deep braking and hard corner entries without suffering tyre degradation. However, with simpler suspension systems in place and drivers now having to manage ground effect sensitivity, the Briton appears to be at a disadvantage—often struggling with tyre temperatures and platform control.
Alex Brundle argued that Hamilton remains one of the fastest on raw pace but suggested that the evolution of modern F1 car design has not aligned well with his driving habits. He speculated that if the field were racing in cars similar to those from 2007 or 2008, Hamilton would still be among the fastest. However, adapting to the ground-effect era has proven challenging for the veteran driver, whose ingrained techniques are difficult to unlearn at this stage of his career.
When asked whether the 2026 rules could shift the balance in Lewis Hamilton’s favor, Brundle expressed doubts. He explained that unless there is a fundamental change in tyre manufacturer or construction—especially one that alters the tyres’ sensitivity to surface temperature—the Ferrari man may continue to struggle. He added that teams would also need to unlearn current design philosophies, something he sees as unlikely given the data-driven nature of modern F1 engineering.
As things stand, Lewis Hamilton trails teammate Charles Leclerc by 25 points and championship leader Oscar Piastri by 119 points after ten rounds. The challenges of the ground-effect era have persisted for Lewis Hamilton, who struggled with Mercedes’ interpretation of the regulations and now faces similar limitations at Ferrari. Compounding the problem is the Italian team’s regression over the winter, which has widened the performance gap to their rivals.
Ferrari will make a pivotal decision after the Belgian Grand Prix on whether to continue developing the 2025 car or shift full focus to the 2026 project. The outcome of the next few races will likely determine whether the Briton or his Maranello teammate can realistically compete for race wins this season—or whether it’s already time to prioritize next year.
Ferrari will be hoping that Martin Brundle’s concerns do not materialize and that Hamilton adapts positively to the 2026 Formula 1 regulations once the new car is introduced. However, if the changes do not play to his strengths, next season could potentially mark the final chapter in Hamilton’s illustrious Formula 1 career, as the 40-year-old begins to contemplate life beyond the grid.
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