Lewis Hamilton has shared a positive outlook ahead of his second season with Ferrari in Formula 1. His first year with the Scuderia was far from successful, but the 2026 campaign could bring pleasant surprises. The British driver admitted that he feels “constantly inspired” every time he returns to his new team’s base in Maranello.
This comes as a breath of fresh air for Ferrari fans who, in 2025, witnessed the worst season of the seven-time world champion’s career. Since entering Formula 1 in 2007, Lewis Hamilton had never completed a season without a single podium or victory. Yet, in his debut year with Ferrari, and for the first time in 18 seasons, that scenario became reality.
While his team-mate managed to bring a few podium finishes back to Maranello, the British champion struggled significantly to adapt to the new environment and, above all, to the challenging SF-25. The transition proved far more complex than expected, both technically and operationally.
In China, it initially appeared that the season might be turning in a positive direction after his Sprint race victory, but as the Grands Prix went by, the situation evolved very differently. Unfortunately, the high expectations at the start of the year were not met. However, with the intense work already underway on the new SF-26, the upcoming season could offer a more competitive outlook.
“Everyone is focused on using the lessons from 2025 to build a better future,” Hamilton said, offering hope to fans eager to see Ferrari back at the top of the standings.
Hamilton optimistic
Lewis Hamilton often appeared discouraged in the paddock throughout 2025 due to his difficult situation at Ferrari, but he ended the season with a far more optimistic perspective heading into 2026.
“I will never compare [Ferrari] to another team, simply because everything here is very different,” the seven-time world champion told the media. “When I go back to the factory, I feel constantly inspired. Every time, it’s an incredible feeling.”
Despite all the challenges, his passion for the Scuderia has not faded, and he highlighted the emotional side of being part of the Italian team by describing the environment as “romantic”.
“There is something romantic about going to Ferrari, about the brand itself. And there is a great sense of harmony within the team, despite all the ups and downs we have experienced. Everyone is focused on making the most of the lessons from 2025 to build a better future, and that encourages me every time I return to the factory.”
“Of course, there are areas where we need to improve. But we have talked about them and we are working on it,” the Briton concluded.
Lewis Hamilton’s renewed optimism serves as a crucial narrative pivot for Ferrari as they transition into the 2026 regulatory era. By framing his difficult debut season as a collection of “lessons” rather than a failure, Hamilton is aligning himself with a Maranello workforce that is clearly energized by the “romantic” prestige of the brand and the technical challenge ahead. While the statistics of 2025 were the lowest of his career, his focus on the harmony within the factory suggests that the bond between the driver and the Scuderia remains unbroken, providing the mental foundation necessary to turn his “constant inspiration” into on-track results with the SF-26.
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