Lewis Hamilton has spoken up about Ferrari’s decision to turn attention toward the Formula 1 2026 season, revealing his key role in driving the team’s change in focus. In the midst of Ferrari’s difficult 2025 season, Hamilton’s strategic input marks a pivotal point as he and the team prepare to reshape their future, ensuring the Lewis Hamilton Ferrari F1 2026 partnership becomes central to the sport’s next era.
Ferrari Abandons 2025 Hopes After Tough Season
Ferrari’s choice to halt development on the SF-25 in April surprised many in the Formula 1 world, coming after a season marked by disappointment and unfulfilled expectations. The team registered only seven podium finishes, all earned by Charles Leclerc, while Hamilton added just one win during the China Sprint. Their collective performance left them far from championship contention, forcing key figures like team principal and senior engineers to reassess their priorities. Hamilton reflected on this rough period by stating,
“Did I know we’d end up here at the end of the year? No. We anticipated it, but it felt worse, naturally,”
— Lewis Hamilton, Driver.
Hamilton’s Advocacy for a New Direction
Known for his competitive drive and foresight, Hamilton disclosed that he actively encouraged Ferrari to switch focus to the new regulations and opportunities presented by the 2026 Formula 1 season.
“I was the one pushing for it. We can’t fall behind the others in terms of development for the new car. It’s a steep learning curve for all of us, and I supported it 100 percent,”
— Lewis Hamilton, Driver. Hamilton’s approach was influenced by the reality that Ferrari was not in title contention, adding,
“We weren’t fighting for a championship anyway,”
— Lewis Hamilton, Driver.
Team Morale Remains Strong Despite Setbacks
Despite the challenges and the abrupt halt to the current car’s progress, Hamilton maintains that he has seen no negative effects on the team’s mindset.
“I can’t answer for the rest of the team, but in my experience, everyone’s stayed really positive. I’ve not seen a psychological impact,”
— Lewis Hamilton, Driver. This perspective highlights the resilience of both Hamilton and his teammates as they collectively look ahead rather than dwell on missed opportunities.
Preparing for a Groundbreaking 2026 Season
The transition to F1’s 2026 era is set to be transformative, with new regulations for both chassis and power units promising to shake up the competitive order. The first private test will take place at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya between January 26 and 30, leading into public test sessions in Bahrain on February 11-13 and February 18-20. This intense schedule leaves little time for rest or reflection.
Hamilton confirmed he is already deeply involved in preparing for the shift:
“It already really starts next week. We’ve been working in the background on 2026 for several months. I’ll be in the simulator working on the next car, and we have the post-season test on next season’s tires,”
— Lewis Hamilton, Driver. His commitment underscores how seriously Ferrari is approaching the new rules and the minimal downtime available before development efforts must resume in full force.
Leading Ferrari into F1’s New Era
With the anticipation for F1 2026 rapidly building, both Hamilton and Leclerc are set to spearhead Ferrari’s charge into this new chapter of Formula 1 history. Their leadership and experience, coupled with the energy of the team, will be crucial as fresh talent and rival organizations, such as Williams with Carlos Sainz and Oliver Bearman’s potential promotion, look to upend the established order. Meanwhile, figures like Nico Rosberg continue to comment on Ferrari’s evolving fortunes and the pressure on their new lineup.
The coming months will be critical as Ferrari ramps up development, fine-tunes its strategies, and adapts to the technological and competitive demands of 2026. The Lewis Hamilton Ferrari F1 2026 collaboration stands as one of the most closely-watched storylines, with fans and analysts eager to see if this bold gamble can propel the team back to the pinnacle of the sport.
As preparations intensify, the Formula 1 world will be watching whether Ferrari’s forward-looking strategy—driven by Hamilton’s vision and resolve—will deliver the breakthrough the team and its supporters have been waiting for.
