Lewis Hamilton has emphasized that Ferrari has a significant task ahead as the Scuderia aims to close the gap on Mercedes in the 2026 Formula 1 season. Despite showing strong performance early in the year, Ferrari has struggled to sustain pace over full race distances compared to the Brackley-based team, which has dominated the opening rounds with back-to-back victories.
Throughout the first two Grand Prix, Ferrari demonstrated potential in the early stages, challenging Mercedes on straights and through the technical sections, but the team has yet to convert that promise into consistent race-long competitiveness. Hamilton believes that bridging this performance gap will require continued focus, development, and discipline from both the drivers and the team.
Mercedes’ resurgence highlights Ferrari’s work ahead
Mercedes’ return to the front of the grid comes just over a year after Lewis Hamilton left the team, ending an era during which he won six drivers’ championships with the Silver Arrows. Reflecting on his time with Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton acknowledged the pivotal role the team played in his career, noting that the squad had supported him since his early teenage years, helping him develop into one of Formula 1’s most successful drivers.
Hamilton praised the current Mercedes line-up, saying that seeing George Russell and the team succeed again underscores the remarkable engineering, teamwork, and culture within the Brackley outfit. He also expressed respect for his former race engineer, Pete Bonnington, who continues to represent Mercedes in official capacities, including podium celebrations, highlighting the close-knit relationships the Briton built over two decades in Formula 1.
First podium for Hamilton with Ferrari in 2026
Hamilton secured his first podium finish for Ferrari in Shanghai, finishing third behind Mercedes drivers while demonstrating growing comfort with his SF-26. The result reflects both his adaptability and the team’s progress under new regulations, signaling that Ferrari can be competitive with the front runners when everything aligns. Sharing the podium with Mercedes representatives and former colleagues added an emotional layer to the occasion for Lewis Hamilton, who described the moment as being surrounded by “family.”
Despite the positive signs, Lewis Hamilton cautioned that Ferrari cannot afford to be complacent. He stressed that the Scuderia must focus on development and execute its strategy effectively if it is to challenge Mercedes consistently for race wins and eventually championship contention.
Hamilton urges Ferrari to stay focused on development
Hamilton noted that Mercedes’ current form makes them a formidable benchmark, emphasizing that beating them will require maximum effort. He suggested that while Ferrari has shown flashes of speed and tactical intelligence, the team must maintain momentum in car development, strategy execution, and tire management to close the gap over the remainder of the season.
He also reflected on the personal connections within the paddock, highlighting the significance of sharing the podium with long-time colleagues such as Pete Bonnington and seeing former rivals and friends perform at a high level. the Briton’s comments underline both his competitive drive and the mutual respect between him and Mercedes, while reinforcing the message that Ferrari’s pursuit of the championship remains a long-term challenge.
Looking ahead, Lewis Hamilton remains focused on extracting maximum performance from Ferrari and supporting Charles Leclerc as they aim to push the Scuderia back into consistent contention at the front of the grid. The 41-year-old Briton is determined to help Ferrari close the gap to Mercedes, knowing that sustained effort, innovation, and teamwork will be essential to competing at the very top in 2026.
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