Max Verstappen explains the key reason behind Lewis Hamilton’s dramatic Ferrari resurgence in the 2026 Formula 1 season
Max Verstappen believes Lewis Hamilton’s return to the front of the Formula 1 field is no coincidence, pointing to a combination of increased confidence in the Ferrari SF-26 and a stronger working relationship with his engineering team as the driving forces behind the seven-time world champion’s resurgence.
After several difficult seasons adapting to Formula 1’s first generation of ground-effect regulations, Lewis Hamilton has rediscovered the consistency and race pace that made him one of the sport’s most successful drivers. His move to Ferrari has coincided with a remarkable turnaround, allowing him to regularly fight at the sharp end of the grid once again.
The renewed competitiveness of Lewis Hamilton has also reignited one of Formula 1’s defining rivalries. Over the opening half of the 2026 campaign, the Ferrari driver and Max Verstappen have produced several memorable on-track battles, reminding fans of the fierce wheel-to-wheel contests that characterized their unforgettable championship fight in 2021.
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen revive one of Formula 1’s greatest rivalries
The pair first renewed hostilities at the Canadian Grand Prix, where Lewis Hamilton eventually secured second place after making a decisive overtaking move on Max Verstappen during the closing stages of the race.
Another thrilling contest followed in Austria. Lewis Hamilton initially defended brilliantly against repeated pressure from the Red Bull driver through several corners before Max Verstappen finally managed to complete the overtake on the following lap after another determined attack.
The rivalry continued at Silverstone, where Lewis Hamilton delighted the home crowd by overtaking Max Verstappen at Brooklands while fighting for the final podium position. Their duel appeared set for another dramatic conclusion before Max Verstappen’s race ended prematurely with a late retirement.
Reflecting on their recent encounters, Max Verstappen explained that he had enjoyed racing against Lewis Hamilton again. Speaking to Viaplay, the reigning world champion suggested that every driver presents different challenges on track, and that those contrasting driving styles are what make Formula 1 racing so enjoyable.
Max Verstappen identifies why Lewis Hamilton is performing at his best again
Following their intense title battle in 2021, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen rarely found themselves fighting directly on track. The introduction of the previous generation of ground-effect cars from 2022 significantly disrupted Lewis Hamilton’s preferred driving style, while Max Verstappen and Red Bull went on to dominate Formula 1 by securing four consecutive world championships.
Although neither driver currently leads the championship standings, Lewis Hamilton has once again become a consistent contender for victories and podium finishes. His impressive performances throughout the 2026 season have silenced many of the doubts that emerged during the previous regulatory cycle and reinforced his reputation as one of the fastest drivers on the Formula 1 grid.
According to Max Verstappen, the biggest change has been Lewis Hamilton’s growing confidence in both the Ferrari package and the people working around him. The Dutchman indicated that when a driver feels completely comfortable with the car and develops strong chemistry with the engineering team, results can improve remarkably quickly.
Lewis Hamilton’s transition has also been supported by changes within Ferrari’s race engineering structure. Carlo Santi replaced Riccardo Adami as Lewis Hamilton’s race engineer for the 2026 season, while former McLaren engineer Cedric Grosjean also joined the Scuderia. Those personnel changes appear to have helped establish a more effective communication process throughout race weekends.
Max Verstappen suggested that once the relationship between a driver, the car and the surrounding team begins to function naturally, performance can suddenly take a significant step forward. In his view, that is precisely what has happened with Lewis Hamilton during the current Formula 1 season.
Why the 2026 Formula 1 cars suit Lewis Hamilton better
Many observers also believe the latest generation of Formula 1 machinery is naturally better suited to Lewis Hamilton’s driving style than the cars introduced under the 2022 regulations.
Former Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button has previously explained that Lewis Hamilton has always preferred a car with an extremely responsive front end, allowing him to attack corner entry aggressively while accepting a less stable rear axle. The characteristics of the 2026 technical regulations appear to deliver precisely that balance, enabling Lewis Hamilton to maximize his strengths more effectively than in recent years.
Combined with Ferrari’s continued development of the SF-26 and the growing understanding between Lewis Hamilton and his engineers, the result has been one of the strongest comeback stories of the 2026 Formula 1 campaign. If this upward trajectory continues over the second half of the season, Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari could become an even bigger threat to their rivals as the championship battle intensifies.
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