Just a few weeks ago, Nico Rosberg was among those who believed that Lewis Hamilton’s chances of fighting for the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship remained slim. Today, following Ferrari’s stunning breakthrough in Barcelona, the former world champion appears to be viewing the situation very differently.
Lewis Hamilton’s commanding victory at the Spanish Grand Prix not only ended Ferrari’s long wait for a race win but also dramatically altered perceptions across the paddock. What previously looked like a season dominated by Mercedes has suddenly evolved into a far more unpredictable championship battle.
After reducing the gap to championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli to 41 points, Lewis Hamilton has re-established himself as a genuine contender, forcing several former skeptics to reconsider their earlier assessments.
Ferrari’s Barcelona breakthrough changed the narrative
Before arriving in Spain, Mercedes appeared firmly in control of the 2026 season. The Brackley-based team had won every Grand Prix up to that point and remained unbeaten in qualifying, creating the impression that the championship battle was largely heading in one direction.
Ferrari, meanwhile, was viewed as a team still searching for the final pieces required to challenge consistently at the front.
That perception changed dramatically once the Scuderia introduced its major upgrade package at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The revised SF-26 immediately looked more competitive, particularly in medium- and high-speed corners where Ferrari demonstrated exceptional balance and grip. Combined with a flawless performance from Lewis Hamilton, the package transformed Ferrari from hopeful challengers into genuine threats for both championships.
The timing of Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s retirement only amplified the significance of the result, allowing Lewis Hamilton to make a substantial gain in the standings while building valuable momentum heading into the next phase of the season.
Nico Rosberg originally questioned Lewis Hamilton’s title credentials
Prior to Ferrari’s breakthrough weekend, Nico Rosberg had publicly expressed doubts about Lewis Hamilton’s ability to mount a serious championship challenge in 2026.
Speaking earlier in the season, the 2016 world champion suggested that while Lewis Hamilton would likely return to winning races, a title campaign appeared unlikely. Rosberg’s assessment was based on two factors: Ferrari’s competitiveness relative to Mercedes and his belief that the Briton had not yet reached the performance level required to fight for the championship over an entire season.
At the time, that viewpoint reflected a widely held opinion within Formula 1 circles. Ferrari had shown flashes of speed but lacked consistency, while Lewis Hamilton was still adapting to life at Maranello after a challenging first campaign with the team.
However, the events in Barcelona appear to have significantly altered Rosberg’s perspective. When asked after the race whether Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton should now be thinking about a championship challenge, the German indicated that both the team and driver had every reason to believe that a title fight was possible.
The response represented a notable shift in tone and suggested that Rosberg now sees Ferrari as a much greater threat than he did only a few weeks earlier.
Lewis Hamilton’s form has improved significantly
One of the most important factors behind Ferrari’s growing optimism has been Lewis Hamilton’s own progression throughout the season.
At the start of the year, Charles Leclerc generally held the upper hand on outright pace. The Monegasque driver was faster across several of the opening race weekends and appeared more comfortable extracting performance from the SF-26.
As the season has developed, however, the balance has started to shift. Lewis Hamilton delivered a dominant performance relative to Charles Leclerc in Canada and followed that with an impressive qualifying display in Monaco, a circuit widely regarded as one of Charles Leclerc’s strongest venues.
Then came Barcelona, where Lewis Hamilton elevated his performance yet again.
With victory within reach, the seven-time world champion displayed the racecraft, tyre management and composure that defined so many of his greatest successes. The result served as a reminder that, despite entering his fourth decade in Formula 1, he remains capable of delivering elite-level performances when provided with a competitive car.
The brake change that may have unlocked performance
Several analysts believe Lewis Hamilton’s recent improvement can be traced to an important technical adjustment made earlier in the season.
Nico Rosberg himself highlighted the significance of Ferrari’s decision to move the seven-time world champion onto Carbone Industrie brake discs, replacing the Brembo setup he had previously been using.
Braking confidence has always been a critical component of Lewis Hamilton’s driving style. Throughout his career, one of his greatest strengths has been the ability to attack corner entry aggressively while maintaining stability and control. Since making the switch, the British driver has appeared increasingly comfortable behind the wheel. The improvement has been particularly noticeable in qualifying, where he has been able to extract more performance during the crucial braking phases of a lap.
Barcelona offered the clearest evidence yet that the change may be paying dividends.
Onboard footage and telemetry analysis revealed Lewis Hamilton repeatedly gaining time in braking zones despite Ferrari still carrying a noticeable deficit in straight-line performance compared to Mercedes.
A title challenge no longer looks unrealistic
The broader Formula 1 narrative is now beginning to shift.
For much of the season, discussions focused on whether the Briton could return to winning races. Following Barcelona, the conversation has evolved into whether he can challenge for an eighth world championship.
Ferrari’s upgraded SF-26 appears capable of fighting at the front, Lewis Hamilton’s confidence is growing with every race, and the championship standings remain close enough to keep the battle alive. Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc continues to play an important role in Ferrari’s campaign despite enduring several difficult weekends. The Scuderia remains one of the few teams with two drivers capable of influencing the outcome of the championship. Whether Lewis Hamilton ultimately completes the comeback remains to be seen. However, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: many of the assumptions made earlier in the season are being challenged.
Among those reassessing the situation is Nico Rosberg, whose changing view of Lewis Hamilton’s prospects reflects a broader realization throughout the paddock. Ferrari’s resurgence is real, and the seven-time world champion is firmly back in the title conversation.
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