The 2026 Formula 1 season is showing a very different version of Lewis Hamilton, not only compared to 2025 but, more broadly, compared to all the seasons dominated by ground-effect cars.
At this point, it is fair to say that the explanations offered in previous years for his underwhelming performances were not simply convenient excuses. They reflected the genuine challenges the seven-time world champion was facing. Even during his final period at Mercedes, however, he still managed to produce occasional standout performances that reminded everyone of his talent.
The transformation we are seeing today is significant. Calling Lewis Hamilton a “rediscovered” driver may not be entirely accurate, because that would imply he somehow forgot how to drive. Nevertheless, the improvement in his form and confidence over such a short period has been impossible to ignore.
When Ferrari announced his arrival in Maranello, many observers described the move as little more than a commercial operation. Yet everything that has emerged since suggests that the passion and determination that pushed Lewis Hamilton toward Italy remain as strong as ever.
The Santi factor and a renewed connection with Ferrari
There is no denying that the step forward compared to 2025 has been substantial.
Last season, Lewis Hamilton’s only victory came in the Shanghai Sprint before his performances fluctuated throughout the year. There were occasional highlights, such as Mexico, where the altitude characteristics suited the SF-25 particularly well. However, those moments remained isolated exceptions, as he often found himself struggling to match the pace of his teammate in the races that followed.
At Ferrari, the picture now appears far more balanced.
It would be inaccurate to claim that Lewis Hamilton is outperforming Charles Leclerc across the board, particularly given that the Monegasque driver has spent recent races dealing with several limitations and technical issues on the SF-26. What is evident, however, is the positive atmosphere surrounding Lewis Hamilton.
It is encouraging to see a driver rediscovering his smile and rebuilding a strong connection with both the car and the team while surrounding himself with people with whom he is developing genuine chemistry.
Only a few days ago, Lewis Hamilton described his race engineer Carlo Santi as something of an Italian version of Peter Bonnington. Anyone familiar with Hamilton’s career understands how crucial his relationship with “Bono” was during his years of success at Mercedes.
The contrast with last season is striking. We have gone from a driver publicly saying, “The problem is me,” to someone who consistently projects positivity, praises the car’s development and regularly congratulates the engineers and factory staff for their work. Even his demeanor in front of the cameras has changed dramatically.
Throughout much of 2025, Lewis Hamilton often appeared passive, almost as if he no longer knew what to say during interviews. At times, he could not fully express what he was thinking, while on other occasions there simply was not much to comment on.
At the end of last season, he spoke about his desire to switch off his phone, take a break and spend time with loved ones before returning refreshed and mentally reset. It is fair to say that he has done exactly that.
Lewis Hamilton: “It’s about putting the puzzle together”
Among the comments Lewis Hamilton made during the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, as reported by RN365, one theme stood out above all others: confidence.
The British driver appears fully aware of what the SF-26 is currently lacking and equally aware of the work required to unlock its potential.
“I arrived at a team that has everything it needs to be successful,” said Lewis Hamilton.
“It’s simply a matter of putting the pieces of the puzzle in the right places,” he added, “and I’m 100 percent committed to getting us to that point.”
The seven-time world champion also publicly thanked Team Principal Fred Vasseur for creating the conditions necessary for him to perform at his best.
“Fred has been fantastic in working with me and helping the engineers. The car setup is a million times better than it was last year, and I’m starting to see the benefits of the work that was done on the car during the previous season.”
Lewis Hamilton then revealed that Ferrari had implemented several of the changes he had requested: “I had asked for some specific modifications, and today we have them, including the suspension. So it’s great to work with everyone to move the ship forward and steer it in the right direction, but there is still work to do.”
His reference to Fred Vasseur should not be underestimated. Building this level of understanding and trust was far from guaranteed. Without constantly comparing the current situation to last year, it is worth remembering that Fred Vasseur himself admitted late in the 2025 season that he had underestimated the impact of such a major driver change.
Barcelona brings the moment of truth
The first six races of the season have already provided valuable insight into both the true potential of the SF-26 and Lewis Hamilton’s adaptation process.
Now Formula 1 enters a particularly important phase of the championship.
That is not only because the next race takes place at Barcelona, a circuit traditionally regarded as one of the most reliable indicators of a team’s overall competitiveness, but also because upgrades and corrective measures will begin appearing more frequently on the cars.
As far as the ADUO development concessions are concerned, however, teams may need to wait until the Austrian Grand Prix before seeing significant developments.
The next challenge is the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The Montmeló layout is one of the most complete on the calendar and, on paper, appears likely to suit Ferrari only partially. The opening sector, with its long straight and high-speed sections, should theoretically favour Mercedes. By contrast, the latter part of Sector 2 and the entire final sector are much more technical and could highlight the strengths of the Ferrari package.
The Spanish Grand Prix will therefore provide an excellent benchmark for evaluating both the car and its drivers.
At the same time, the 2026 season has repeatedly shown that predictions do not always match reality.
Canada, for example, was not expected to be particularly favourable for the SF-26. Yet Lewis Hamilton, helped in part by a McLaren strategic mistake, maintained a competitive pace throughout the weekend. He was especially impressive in qualifying on the medium tyre and, during the race, managed to stay with Max Verstappen, overtake the Dutchman and finish second behind Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes.
Another crucial aspect of the Barcelona weekend will be tyre behaviour. The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is renowned for exposing both aerodynamic strengths and tyre management weaknesses. With Pirelli bringing the C2, C3 and C4 compounds and high temperatures expected throughout the weekend, Ferrari will gain a clearer understanding of how the SF-26 behaves on softer compounds, particularly in qualifying conditions.
It is a weekend that could reveal a great deal about Ferrari’s true level of competitiveness and, perhaps even more importantly, about Lewis Hamilton’s progress.
After six races, the question is no longer whether the British driver remains competitive at the highest level. The real question is how far he can go once his adaptation to Ferrari is fully complete.
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