Lewis Hamilton’s stunning victory at the Spanish Grand Prix has not only transformed Ferrari’s 2026 Formula 1 campaign but has also forced several former critics to reconsider their opinions. Among them is former Ferrari driver Rene Arnoux, who has openly admitted that he underestimated the seven-time world champion and now views the Briton’s recent performances in a very different light.
For much of the past year, questions surrounded Lewis Hamilton’s future in Formula 1. Following a difficult debut season with Ferrari and a prolonged absence from the top step of the podium, many observers wondered whether age had finally begun to catch up with one of the most successful drivers in the history of the sport.
Those doubts have largely disappeared following Ferrari’s breakthrough performance in Barcelona, where Lewis Hamilton delivered a commanding victory that showcased not only the progress of the SF-26 but also his enduring ability to perform at the highest level.
Lewis Hamilton’s Barcelona victory changes perceptions
The Barcelona weekend represented a turning point for Ferrari. After months of development work, the Scuderia introduced a substantial upgrade package that immediately transformed the competitiveness of the SF-26. The improvements allowed Ferrari to close the gap to Mercedes and re-establish itself as a genuine championship contender.
While the technical upgrades attracted plenty of attention, many inside the paddock were equally impressed by Lewis Hamilton’s execution. The British driver controlled the race with authority, managed his tyres perfectly and extracted the maximum performance from Ferrari’s aggressive three-stop strategy.
Speaking in the aftermath of the race, Rene Arnoux acknowledged that both the car and the driver had exceeded his expectations.
The former Ferrari driver admitted that he had previously believed Lewis Hamilton’s best years were behind him and that age had diminished the qualities that once made him virtually unbeatable. However, after witnessing the performance in Spain, Arnoux concluded that Lewis Hamilton had once again demonstrated why he remains one of Formula 1’s elite competitors.
According to the Frenchman, Lewis Hamilton has not only rediscovered his speed but has also become a central figure within Ferrari’s rebuilding process. Arnoux suggested that the British driver has assumed a leadership role inside the team, helping to inspire confidence among both the engineers and the passionate Ferrari fanbase.
At the same time, he praised Ferrari’s development trajectory, noting that the latest upgrades appear to have unlocked a significant amount of performance. In his view, the championship battle remains wide open, particularly with Ferrari now possessing a package capable of challenging Mercedes on a consistent basis.
Ferrari’s title ambitions gain momentum
The timing of Lewis Hamilton’s victory could hardly have been better. Championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli looked set for another strong result in Barcelona before a late technical failure forced him to retire from the race.
That retirement significantly reduced the damage Lewis Hamilton needed to recover in the standings and injected fresh momentum into Ferrari’s championship challenge. While the gap to Andrea Kimi Antonelli remains substantial, Ferrari’s recent progress has generated growing belief that the title fight could become increasingly competitive during the second half of the season.
George Russell also benefited from Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s misfortune, securing second place and reducing the deficit to his Mercedes teammate. As a result, the championship battle remains finely balanced among several contenders heading into the crucial summer phase of the campaign.
With additional power unit development opportunities still available under the ADUO regulations, Ferrari also has reason to be optimistic about future performance gains. If the team can continue improving its package, Lewis Hamilton may find himself firmly back in championship contention.
Rene Arnoux concerned about Charles Leclerc’s situation
While Lewis Hamilton’s fortunes have improved dramatically, Rene Arnoux believes the picture is far more complicated for Charles Leclerc.
The Monegasque driver endured another frustrating weekend in Spain. After showing promising speed during practice and qualifying, Charles Leclerc saw his race end prematurely when a power steering failure struck just four laps from the finish.
The retirement marked another setback in what has become a difficult period for the Ferrari driver. Recent weeks have featured a series of disappointments, including accidents and missed opportunities that have prevented him from fully capitalizing on the potential of the SF-26.
Arnoux expressed concern about Charles Leclerc’s current state of mind, suggesting that the Ferrari driver appears to be struggling both with the car and with the pressure of recent events.
In particular, the former Ferrari driver pointed to a sequence of costly mistakes across multiple race weekends, arguing that the issue may extend beyond technical difficulties alone. While acknowledging that Charles Leclerc is not yet fully comfortable with the characteristics of the SF-26, Arnoux believes confidence may be playing an equally important role.
The Frenchman also suggested that Charles Leclerc may not have anticipated such an immediate resurgence from Lewis Hamilton. After entering the season as the established reference point within Ferrari, the Monegasque now finds himself facing a teammate who has rapidly become one of the leading figures in the championship battle.
A defining period for Ferrari’s driver pairing
As Ferrari’s competitiveness continues to improve, attention is increasingly shifting toward the dynamic between its two star drivers. Lewis Hamilton’s revival and Charles Leclerc’s recent struggles have created one of the most intriguing storylines of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
For Ferrari, the ideal scenario would be having both drivers consistently fighting at the front and taking points away from rival teams. However, the contrasting trajectories of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have inevitably fueled debate about leadership within the Scuderia.
What seemed unlikely just a few months ago is now becoming a reality: Lewis Hamilton is once again winning races, Ferrari is firmly back in the championship conversation, and even former skeptics like Rene Arnoux are being forced to acknowledge that the seven-time world champion still possesses the qualities that made him one of the greatest drivers Formula 1 has ever seen.
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