Ferrari solves major issue Lewis Hamilton struggled with
Lewis Hamilton enters the 2026 Formula 1 season with renewed hope after a challenging few years struggling to adapt to the ground-effect era. The seven-time world champion, who switched from Mercedes to Ferrari in search of fresh opportunities, endured his toughest campaign yet in 2025, failing to secure a single podium. With the new technical regulations coming into play, Hamilton is determined to reclaim his competitive edge and capitalize on Ferrari’s updated SF-26.
Since the introduction of ground-effect regulations, the Briton has consistently faced difficulties finding a car that matches his driving style. Despite Ferrari’s strong support and technical resources, his 2025 season was marked by inconsistent performance and frustration, making the 2026 regulatory changes a critical chance for improvement. Ferrari, aware of Lewis Hamilton’s concerns, has reportedly focused on making the SF-26 more stable and predictable—addressing the very issues both Hamilton and Charles Leclerc highlighted throughout last season.
The Ferrari SF-26 has already raised eyebrows during the first pre-season test in Montmelo, with technical observers noting the presence of an S-Duct on the car. This aerodynamic solution, along with other aggressive updates, represents a strategic effort by the Maranello team to tackle one of Lewis Hamilton’s biggest struggles: porpoising. In his first runs on the wet track, Lewis Hamilton indicated that the SF-26 now handles this challenge much better than previous Ferrari or Mercedes machines.
The seven-time world champion explained to the official F1 media that, despite limited running in the rain, the SF-26 showed clear improvements. He noted that while the car generates less downforce compared to last year, the severe bouncing he experienced in 2022 and 2025 has been virtually eliminated. This represents a significant step forward, making the 2026 Ferrari a car he can trust and adapt to more quickly. He also highlighted that the new regulations are challenging for all teams, leveling the playing field and requiring constant learning and adjustments.
For Hamilton, this improvement is especially meaningful given his past difficulties with Mercedes’ ground-effect W13 in 2022. That car, infamously nicknamed the “zeropod,” caused both him and teammate George Russell considerable frustration due to its extreme porpoising and lack of stability. Hamilton even suffered back pain during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix because of the constant bouncing, describing the car as almost impossible to drive at times. George Russell confirmed that the early races felt unnatural, with porpoising so severe that he barely remembered what it was like to drive a stable F1 car.
The contrast with the new Ferrari SF-26 is stark. While porpoising dominated Hamilton’s previous experiences with ground-effect cars, early indications suggest that Ferrari’s 2026 design is not only more stable but better tailored to his driving style. This could allow the British driver to extract maximum performance from the SF-26 alongside Charles Leclerc, who is also adjusting to the updated regulations.
As Ferrari looks to put the disappointment of 2025 behind them, the elimination of porpoising represents a crucial milestone. It demonstrates that the Maranello team is prioritizing driver comfort, aerodynamics, and mechanical stability, all of which will be essential in their pursuit of race wins and championship contention in 2026. For Lewis Hamilton, this could be the foundation he needs to regain his competitive form and challenge the frontrunners consistently once again.
Overall, Ferrari’s proactive approach in addressing Lewis Hamilton’s biggest complaints shows the team’s commitment to both their star drivers. By reducing aerodynamic instability and improving the predictability of the SF-26, Ferrari is not only catering to the Briton’s needs but also reinforcing Charles Leclerc’s confidence in the car as they prepare for the highly anticipated 2026 Formula 1 season.
