Ross Brawn, widely regarded as one of the most successful team principals in Formula 1 history, has shared his insights on how Ferrari can get the very best out of Lewis Hamilton during the 2026 season. Brawn’s career includes leading Ferrari through Michael Schumacher’s era of dominance, establishing Brawn GP in 2009 to win the drivers’ championship with Jenson Button, and later serving in senior roles within Formula One Management before stepping away from the sport in 2022 with a decorated legacy.
During his tenure at Ferrari, Brawn helped the Scuderia achieve unparalleled success, including a drivers’ championship with Kimi Raikkonen in 2007 and a constructors’ title the following year. However, Ferrari have not captured another championship since, despite recruiting former world champions like Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel, and now Lewis Hamilton. Insider sources have expressed concerns over Hamilton’s approach, but Ross Brawn believes the seven-time world champion is fully capable of thriving at the team with the right conditions in place.
How Ferrari can unlock Lewis Hamilton’s full potential in 2026
Speaking to Sky Sports at the Autosport Awards, Ross Brawn was asked about Lewis Hamilton’s pivotal season ahead and what Ferrari would need to do to help him succeed. He suggested that while last year didn’t fully click, there is a clear pathway to seeing Hamilton perform at his peak once again. Brawn explained that success will depend on providing the right incentives and creating an environment in which Hamilton can seize every opportunity, predicting that a return to “vintage Lewis Hamilton” is possible if the team aligns effectively.
Brawn highlighted the challenges inherent in Ferrari’s team dynamic, noting that the fine balance between a team gelling and underperforming can make or break a season. In his analysis, the seven-time world champion’s performance will not only depend on his own skill and motivation but also on how the Scuderia adapts its approach to support him both on and off the track.
Insights on the 2026 engine controversy and its implications
Even before pre-season testing for the 2026 Formula 1 season has begun, controversy has already emerged around the new power unit regulations. Rumors suggest that Mercedes and Red Bull may have discovered a loophole that gives them a potential performance edge, a situation that Brawn is all too familiar with given his experience in exploiting regulatory interpretations.
Reflecting on his own history, Brawn referenced the double diffuser innovation implemented by his Brawn GP team in 2009, which proved decisive for Jenson Button’s championship. He noted that regulation changes have historically provided opportunities for clever interpretations, and that the current Mercedes and Red Bull engine advantage appears to be another example of teams capitalizing on the details of the rules.
While Brawn admitted that he does not know the technical specifics of the alleged loophole, he emphasized that such advantages are not unusual in F1. He explained that when one team finds a clever interpretation, the onus is on rival teams to respond strategically, highlighting the need for Ferrari to adopt a proactive approach to stay competitive in 2026.
Ross Brawn’s advice underscores two key takeaways for Ferrari: first, to create the optimal environment for Lewis Hamilton to perform at his best, and second, to remain vigilant and adaptive in response to technical innovations from rival teams. With the season rapidly approaching, the Scuderia faces the dual challenge of unlocking Lewis Hamilton’s full potential while addressing emerging competitive threats from Mercedes and Red Bull.
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