Former Formula 1 World Champion Jenson Button has praised Lewis Hamilton, suggesting that the 2026 rule changes have unlocked a renewed level of performance from the seven-time world champion. Hamilton delivered a standout showing at the Australian Grand Prix, finishing fourth on Sunday, a result that signals he may be entering a fresh chapter in his F1 career.
Although Lewis Hamilton is still chasing his first podium with Ferrari, his fourth-place finish matched his best result from the 2025 season, despite starting the race from seventh on the grid. This performance was particularly impressive given Hamilton’s challenging two-year spell in 2024 and 2025, a period that represented the most difficult stretch of his illustrious career.
Button, who raced alongside Hamilton for three seasons at McLaren from 2010 to 2012, noted that the British driver looks reinvigorated under the lighter, smaller, and more agile 2026 F1 cars. The new aerodynamic and chassis regulations allow cars to carry more oversteer, which suits Hamilton’s driving style perfectly.
Lewis Hamilton thriving in a car built for nimble performance
Button explained that previous car designs required teams to add understeer to the setup to ensure stability at the rear, particularly due to the ground effect limitations. In contrast, the 2026 cars allow drivers like Lewis Hamilton to exploit a stronger front end and greater agility through corners, exactly the driving characteristics Hamilton has always preferred.
According to Button, this new balance has visibly boosted Hamilton’s confidence, both in the cockpit and off the track. At Albert Park, the Briton’s appeared more composed and enthusiastic than he had throughout much of last season, suggesting that the 41-year-old is genuinely excited to race under the updated regulations.
Sky Sports analyst Jenson Button commented that the current F1 machinery is “perfectly suited for Lewis Hamilton’s driving style,” explaining that the ability to handle oversteer effectively now allows the Briton to extract maximum performance while pushing the car hard through corners. Button emphasized that the seven-time world champion’s experience, combined with the new car dynamics, makes 2026 potentially a defining era in his Formula 1 career.
Australian Grand Prix stats highlight Hamilton’s resurgence
During the Australian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton demonstrated his pace relative to Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc. After making his only pit stop, the Briton was six seconds behind Leclerc but closed the gap to just 0.8 seconds by the chequered flag. Observers noted that Hamilton was consistently faster than Leclerc during the second stint, averaging nearly two-tenths of a second per lap advantage. The 2026 car’s characteristics allowed him to exploit this performance difference, something that rarely occurred during the 2025 season, when Charles Leclerc dominated the head-to-head race finishes 18-3.
Button believes that Hamilton’s ability to recover ground so efficiently shows a transformation in his racecraft under the new regulations. While a subpar Q3 performance limited his potential starting position, the race demonstrated that Hamilton can now fully exploit the Ferrari SF-26, with the car’s nimble balance playing to his strengths.
What this means for Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari in 2026
Jenson Button predicts that this is the beginning of a new competitive chapter for Lewis Hamilton in Formula 1. The combination of the Briton’s experience, the redesigned car, and his renewed confidence could allow him to challenge consistently at the front and contend for podiums more regularly. With Charles Leclerc as his teammate, the internal Ferrari battle promises to push both drivers to new heights, but Button believes that the Ferrari driver is finally in a position to thrive and assert his authority within the team.
Supporters of Lewis Hamilton have reason to be optimistic, as the Australian Grand Prix provided clear evidence that the seven-time world champion is adapting rapidly to the new era of F1. The 2026 regulations, designed to improve racing spectacle and driver influence, appear to have reignited Hamilton’s competitive edge, potentially setting the stage for a remarkable season with Ferrari.
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