Flavio Briatore predicts a major turnaround for Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari in 2026
Lewis Hamilton’s first season with Scuderia Ferrari has been far from smooth. The seven-time Formula 1 world champion has faced frustration, inconsistency, and even moments of tension within the team. Yet, amid the doubts surrounding his partnership with the Maranello squad, former Renault boss and current Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore believes that everything is about to change. According to the experienced Italian figure, Hamilton’s fortunes will dramatically improve with the arrival of the F1 2026 regulations.
A difficult first season at Ferrari
When Lewis Hamilton confirmed his switch to Ferrari for the 2025 F1 season, it was seen as one of the most historic driver transfers in modern Formula 1. Fans expected a fairytale story — the British legend joining the most iconic team in motorsport, seeking to add to his record-equalling seven world titles. However, reality has proven far more complicated.
Despite an impressive Sprint race victory in China earlier in the year, Lewis Hamilton has yet to win a Grand Prix for Ferrari. His best finish so far remains a fourth place, while his teammate Charles Leclerc has often been the faster of the two. The SF-25, Ferrari’s 2025 challenger, has shown flashes of speed but remains inconsistent over long race distances. Early-season communication issues in Australia further added to the frustration, with Hamilton publicly describing himself as “useless” behind the wheel after one particularly disappointing race weekend.
Flavio Briatore’s optimistic forecast for 2026
Despite the setbacks, Flavio Briatore remains convinced that the British driver’s time at Ferrari will soon bear fruit. Speaking on the Radio Rai program La politica nel pallone, the veteran team boss offered a confident outlook for Hamilton’s future with the Scuderia. The former Renault team boss reportedly stated that “everything will change next year,” predicting that the British driver will return to the fight for race wins once the F1 2026 season begins.
According to Flavio Briatore, the upcoming Formula 1 rule changes will significantly alter the competitive balance of the grid. The new regulations, focusing on revised aerodynamics and power unit efficiency, could reset the order and give Ferrari the chance to close the gap to McLaren, Red Bull, and Mercedes. Briatore believes that Lewis Hamilton’s talent and experience will allow him to capitalize on these changes and bring Ferrari back into championship contention.
He reportedly explained that the current grid is more competitive than ever, with as many as seven cars separated by just two-tenths of a second in qualifying. In his view, this level of parity makes success extremely difficult, even for proven champions like Hamilton. However, with the next generation of F1 cars expected to reward adaptability and technical understanding, Flavio Briatore is confident that Hamilton’s skills will shine once again.
Historical parallels and signs of hope
Lewis Hamilton’s situation at Ferrari has drawn comparisons to his move from McLaren to Mercedes in 2013. At the time, many doubted the wisdom of his decision, but the following year’s new hybrid regulations transformed Mercedes into the dominant force in Formula 1, allowing Lewis Hamilton to claim multiple titles. Flavio Briatore seems to believe that history may repeat itself — with the 2026 regulations marking another turning point in Hamilton’s legendary career.
Although the Briton currently sits sixth in the 2025 F1 Drivers’ Championship, his performance shows glimpses of progress as both he and the Ferrari engineers work to better understand the SF-25’s characteristics. Insiders within Maranello have noted that Lewis Hamilton’s feedback has been instrumental in guiding development, particularly in improving tire management and race pace.
Briatore’s changing opinion on Hamilton’s Ferrari move
Interestingly, Briatore’s current optimism marks a notable shift in his stance compared to earlier in the year. Speaking to Sport Bila in January, he had expressed skepticism about Ferrari’s decision to sign the seven-time Formula 1 world champion. At the time, he suggested that while he respected the British driver’s achievements, he questioned whether bringing him in made sense when Ferrari already had a strong driver pairing in Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.
Flavio Briatore had reportedly said that if he were responsible for Ferrari’s driver choices, he would have kept Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz together, describing them as one of the best lineups on the grid. However, recent developments and Lewis Hamilton’s growing influence within the team appear to have changed his mind. The former Benetton and Renault boss now believes that the partnership could become one of Ferrari’s most successful alliances in years — provided that the team adapts well to the new technical framework.
The potential of Ferrari’s 2026 project
As the 2026 Formula 1 regulations approach, Ferrari’s engineering department is already focusing on designing a car that can take full advantage of the new rules. These changes will emphasize lighter chassis, simplified aerodynamics, and increased reliance on hybrid power — areas where Lewis Hamilton’s driving style and technical sensitivity could make a real difference. His deep understanding of hybrid systems from his Mercedes years may offer Ferrari a competitive edge in fine-tuning their power unit strategy.
With Team Principal Fred Vasseur leading the long-term project and Lewis Hamilton providing feedback from the cockpit, Ferrari aims to regain its place as a front-runner. The 2026 reset might be exactly what the team needs to unlock the potential that has eluded them under the current regulations.
Looking ahead: can Hamilton deliver Ferrari’s long-awaited title?
For many Formula 1 fans, the prospect of Lewis Hamilton winning a championship in red remains one of the sport’s most compelling storylines. Ferrari has not won a drivers’ title since 2007, and Hamilton’s hunger for an eighth world crown remains undiminished. If the team can deliver a competitive package in 2026, Flavio Briatore’s prediction of a Hamilton comeback may well become reality.
While the 2025 season continues to test both driver and team, the focus within Maranello has clearly shifted toward building for the future. Whether Briatore’s bold forecast will come true remains to be seen — but his words have reignited discussion about whether Hamilton’s Ferrari chapter could yet become a story of redemption and resurgence in Formula 1 history.
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