Lewis Hamilton has seen a lot in Formula 1-seven world titles, countless wins, and plenty of regulation changes-but the 2026 cars? They're bringing the fun back.
After wrapping up a productive three-day shakedown in Barcelona with Ferrari, Hamilton sounded energized, even optimistic, about what’s ahead. And that’s not something we’ve heard from him too often in recent years.
“More fun to drive” - Hamilton embraces the 2026 car reset
Let’s rewind for a moment. The last generation of F1 cars, introduced in 2022, leaned heavily on ground-effect aerodynamics.
The goal was better racing, but for Hamilton, they were anything but enjoyable. He was blunt about it, saying late last season that there was “not a single thing I will miss about these cars.”
And that frustration wasn’t just talk-his results backed it up. From 2022 through 2025, Hamilton was outscored by his teammates in three of four seasons, marking the least successful stretch of his career.
But 2026 has brought a fresh start-not just in mindset, but in machinery. The new regulations have shifted the design philosophy: narrower chassis, reduced downforce, and a move away from the aggressive ground-effect floors.
The result? A car that’s trickier to handle, but in a good way.
“It’s oversteery and snappy and sliding,” Hamilton said. “But it’s a little bit easier to catch and I would definitely say more enjoyable.”
That’s coming from a driver who’s never been shy about voicing what works and what doesn’t. And after logging 209 laps in Ferrari’s SF-26 over three days in Spain, it’s clear he’s not just clocking miles-he’s learning, adjusting, and, most importantly, enjoying the process again.
Ferrari’s fresh energy-and a new tone from Hamilton
Now 41, Hamilton isn’t just chasing lap times-he’s chasing something deeper: a team-wide resurgence. And at Ferrari, he says he’s feeling it.
“We’ve had great debriefs, everyone’s really on it,” he said. “I really feel the winning mentality in every single person in the team more than ever, so it’s a positive.”
That’s a big statement, especially coming off a winless 2025 campaign for the Scuderia. But it’s also a reminder that success in F1 isn’t just about the stopwatch-it’s about synergy, belief, and the grind behind the scenes.
Hamilton credited both his own offseason work and the team’s winter efforts for setting the tone.
“It’s been a really enjoyable week, honestly,” he said. “A huge amount of work over the winter on my side, personal side, but then what the team have done over the winter to make changes going into the test.”
A strong start-but no illusions
Ferrari’s early numbers are promising. Alongside Mercedes, they were one of only two teams to log over 400 laps during the shakedown. And Hamilton’s best lap on the final afternoon edged out George Russell’s top time from the day before by a tenth of a second.
Encouraging? Sure. But Hamilton isn’t getting ahead of himself.
**“We’re under no illusions. We know we’ve got work to do,” he said.
“Mercedes have done great running as well. I think Red Bull and Haas did some great running as well, so we don’t really know where we are.”
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That’s the reality of early testing. Lap times are just one piece of the puzzle.
Fuel loads, engine modes, tire compounds-there’s a lot we don’t see. What matters now is trajectory, not headlines.
**“It’s a solid first week and we can really build from here,” Hamilton added. “There may be some big leaps that we’re going to need to take.
Development’s going to be key.” **
He emphasized the importance of communication and decision-making as Ferrari looks to close the gap to the front.
**“Just really making sure we leave no stone unturned,” he said. “It’s going to take all of us to be at our best.
I’m just seeing that everyone’s really coming with new energy this year, which is great.” **
What’s next: Bahrain looms large
With the Barcelona shakedown in the books, the focus now shifts to Bahrain. F1 will hold two official pre-season tests there-February 11-13 and 18-20. This time, the media will be watching, live timing will be available, and the performance picture will start to come into sharper focus.
Then, it’s off to Melbourne. The 2026 season kicks off with the Australian Grand Prix from March 6-8. Practice begins on Friday the 6th, qualifying on Saturday, and the first race of the year on Sunday the 8th.
For Hamilton, Ferrari, and the rest of the grid, the road to redemption-or domination-starts now. And if this first test is any indication, the new era might just be as fun as it is fast.