Jenson Button sees clear signs that Lewis Hamilton has rediscovered his Ferrari confidence
Lewis Hamilton’s impressive turnaround at Ferrari has been one of the defining stories of the 2026 Formula 1 season, and former world champion Jenson Button believes he has identified exactly why the seven-time champion is performing at such a high level once again.
Although the Austrian Grand Prix did not deliver another podium for Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton still left a strong impression on Button, who noticed a driving style that had largely disappeared during Formula 1’s previous generation of ground-effect cars. According to the 2009 world champion, the current regulations finally allow the Briton to attack corners with the aggression that made him one of the sport’s most successful drivers.
From a difficult debut season to a genuine title contender
Ferrari’s move to sign Lewis Hamilton initially produced a far more challenging transition than many expected. During his first campaign in red, the British driver openly admitted that adapting to an entirely new team environment, combined with the demanding characteristics of the previous-generation Formula 1 cars, resulted in a frustrating and disappointing season.
The picture has changed dramatically in 2026. Ferrari’s SF-26 has proven far better suited to Lewis Hamilton’s driving style, allowing him to claim his first Grand Prix victory for the Scuderia in Barcelona. Heading into the British Grand Prix weekend, the Ferrari driver sits firmly in the championship fight, occupying third place in the standings and remaining within striking distance of the title leaders.
Alongside Charles Leclerc, Ferrari now boasts one of the strongest driver pairings on the grid, with both drivers benefiting from a car that is considerably more forgiving than its predecessor.
Why Austria convinced Jenson Button that Lewis Hamilton is back to his best
While Ferrari could not repeat its Barcelona success at the Red Bull Ring due to the circuit’s altitude and demanding temperatures, Lewis Hamilton still produced moments that caught Button’s attention.
Speaking during a Viagogo event ahead of the British Grand Prix, Jenson Button explained that watching Lewis Hamilton slide the Ferrari through the final corners lap after lap demonstrated just how much confidence he now has in the SF-26.
According to Button, the current generation of Formula 1 cars allows drivers to push much harder at the limit. Unlike the previous ground-effect machines, which became extremely unstable once they developed even small amounts of oversteer, the 2026 cars remain significantly more predictable when driven aggressively.
Button suggested that this characteristic plays perfectly into Lewis Hamilton’s natural driving style. Rather than constantly managing a nervous rear end, the Ferrari driver can once again rotate the car confidently and carry speed through the corner, something that has always been one of his greatest strengths.
The former McLaren driver also admitted that watching Lewis Hamilton repeatedly control the Ferrari while slightly sideways through Austria’s final sector was one of the highlights of the weekend. In his view, it perfectly illustrated why the seven-time world champion has returned to the front of the Formula 1 field.
The 2026 regulations have changed Button’s opinion
Button acknowledged that he was initially uncertain about Formula 1’s sweeping 2026 technical regulations. The introduction of lighter chassis, revised aerodynamics and entirely new hybrid power units represented one of the biggest rule changes the championship has ever experienced.
One of the biggest concerns centred on the revised power unit philosophy, with electrical deployment playing a much larger role than under the previous regulations. Early races exposed several issues, as both drivers and viewers struggled to understand the complex energy management strategies required throughout qualifying and races.
Many competitors criticised the new system during the opening rounds, and Button admitted that even someone with extensive Formula 1 experience found it difficult to follow exactly how drivers were managing battery deployment from lap to lap.
Miami rule changes improved Formula 1 racing
The FIA responded by introducing adjustments from the Miami Grand Prix onward, reducing the qualifying energy harvesting requirement while increasing the amount of engine clipping permitted. Those revisions simplified race strategy and made overtaking opportunities easier to understand for both drivers and spectators.
Although Austria still produced examples of drivers using their battery deployment strategically and then becoming vulnerable moments later, Button believes the racing product has improved considerably since those early-season changes.
He argued that Formula 1 has always featured tactical overtaking tools, whether through KERS, DRS or other systems, and sees the current energy management rules as simply another evolution of that concept rather than something fundamentally different.
Ferrari’s package continues to suit Lewis Hamilton
For Ferrari, Button’s observations provide another indication that the SF-26 has unlocked qualities that were largely hidden during Lewis Hamilton’s first year with the Scuderia. As Ferrari continues refining the car throughout the season, the combination of improved chassis characteristics and ongoing development could prove crucial in the championship battle.
With Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc continuing to push Ferrari closer to the front, Button believes the current regulations have finally allowed one of Formula 1’s greatest drivers to exploit his natural strengths once again. If that trend continues, Ferrari could remain firmly in contention for victories—and perhaps even the world championship—as the 2026 season progresses.
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