Former F1 driver Marc Surer has suggested that seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton can leverage his experience and clever racecraft to make the most of the 2026 Formula 1 regulations, even though his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc is expected to be quicker in qualifying sessions. According to Surer, Lewis Hamilton’s adaptability and strategic intelligence could allow him to turn the changes in technical rules to his benefit, potentially marking a strong comeback after a difficult first year at Ferrari.
Hamilton’s challenging debut season with Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton’s first season with Scuderia Ferrari in 2025 proved to be one of the toughest stretches of his illustrious Formula 1 career. The 41-year-old driver endured a campaign that he himself admitted was his lowest-performing season in F1 to date, failing to secure a podium finish for the first time since joining the championship. Hamilton also ended the season with three consecutive Q1 eliminations in qualifying, highlighting just how difficult the transition to Ferrari had been.
The end of F1’s latest ground-effect era brought some relief, but the new 2026 technical regulations are seen as a fresh opportunity for Hamilton. The lighter, smaller cars introduced under the new rules require a driving style closer to the Briton’s natural approach, which could allow him to exploit the SF-26 more effectively. In addition, changes to the power unit, particularly the shift in energy deployment from the V6-hybrid systems, could further suit Lewis Hamilton’s racecraft.
Hamilton’s strengths under the 2026 regulations
Marc Surer, a former Brabham F1 driver, believes Hamilton’s combination of experience, strategic intelligence, and clever energy management will be key under the updated 2026 regulations. The new rules have increased the share of electrical power available during races, shifting from a 20/80 split favoring the internal combustion engine to a near 50/50 distribution between battery and ICE. Marc Surer suggests that Hamilton’s expertise in managing hybrid systems could allow him to extract maximum performance over race distances, even if qualifying remains a challenge.
“Lewis Hamilton has always been stronger in race conditions than in qualifying,” Marc Surer pointed out. “Charles Leclerc is exceptional at getting the absolute maximum out of a single lap, which is why he dominates qualifying. But in the races, the Briton’s experience and intelligent approach to energy management can give him an advantage. That’s why I expect him to look significantly better than last year.”
Leclerc’s qualifying edge remains
Despite Hamilton’s potential improvements, Charles Leclerc is still expected to maintain a qualifying advantage over his Ferrari teammate. In the 2025 season, the Monegasque outqualified Hamilton 19-5 across Grand Prix weekends and also led 4-2 in Sprint Qualifying results. Leclerc’s ability to extract peak performance in single-lap scenarios remains one of the defining features of the Monegasque’s driving style, making him a formidable rival in short-format sessions.
However, Marc Surer notes that the former Mercedes man’s focus on race pace, strategy, and energy efficiency could offset Leclerc’s qualifying dominance during race weekends. Hamilton demonstrated this during the Bahrain tests in early 2026, where his simulated race pace was the fastest across multiple runs, highlighting his potential to capitalize on race strategy even if starting positions remain challenging.
Encouraging signs from Bahrain testing
During the two pre-season tests in Bahrain, Lewis Hamilton showed improved comfort in the Ferrari SF-26, despite initial handling challenges. The Briton’s simulated race pace proved to be his most encouraging metric, suggesting that while he may struggle in qualifying, he can leverage his experience and racecraft to compete effectively in longer stints and strategic scenarios. Analysts including Martin Brundle have noted Hamilton’s positive body language during testing, reinforcing the view that he could have a significantly better 2026 season than his debut year with Ferrari.
What Hamilton needs from Ferrari to contend for the championship
For the Briton to mount a serious challenge for an eighth Formula 1 drivers’ championship, Ferrari will need to deliver consistent upgrades to the SF-26 throughout the season. Current projections place the Italian team anywhere from second to fourth on the starting grid for the 2026 F1 season opener. Hamilton’s ability to fully exploit the technical and strategic advantages of the 2026 regulations will be crucial if he hopes to challenge Charles Leclerc, Red Bull, Mercedes, and other front-runners for race wins and podium finishes.
While Charles Leclerc’s qualifying superiority is clear, Marc Surer believes that the seven-time F1 world champion’s intelligence, race experience, and adaptability give him the tools to make 2026 a significant improvement over 2025, potentially setting the stage for a highly competitive season for Ferrari.
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