As the 2026 Formula 1 season approaches, Ferrari appears poised to challenge for victories once again after a strong pre-season performance at the Barcelona shakedown and Bahrain testing sessions. Ferrari’s SF-26 demonstrated impressive reliability and innovative aerodynamic features that caught the attention of rival teams, raising hopes that the Scuderia will recover from a difficult and winless 2025 campaign. Will Buxton, a prominent F1 presenter, expressed optimism about Ferrari’s prospects despite acknowledging the usual uncertainties of pre-season testing.
Buxton emphasized Ferrari’s superior speed during testing, explaining how the team used new aerodynamic regulations to their advantage.
“I’m going to start with Ferrari because they are the testing Formula 1 world champions, which we know means absolutely nothing at all. But let’s start with outright pace,”
he said on the Up To Speed podcast.
He described Ferrari’s unique mechanism on their rear wing, which flips 180 degrees and goes upside down to reduce drag and boost straight-line speed—a clever design given Formula 1 wings traditionally create downforce rather than lift.
“So, this wing flipping 180° essentially turns it into an aeroplane wing and induces lift, and that tiny little winglet at the bottom just helps to keep those tyres down on the ground so the rear tyres aren’t lifted up into the air. It’s incredibly smart. It means the Ferrari is lightning in a straight line,”
Buxton added.
Ferrari’s Strong Performance in Practice Sessions
In addition to Charles Leclerc setting the fastest testing time, Ferrari’s exceptional starts were a highlight at the Bahrain International Circuit. Buxton recounted an impressive demonstration of Ferrari’s launch capabilities during practice.
“And as we saw from their practice starts, the Ferrari off the line… You’ve got all the other cars lined up row one, row two, row three. Lewis is back on like row 10. He wasn’t even in Bahrain anymore. And by the time they got to turn one, Lewis was P1,”
Buxton explained.
He continued to highlight the car’s potential race-winning performance from any grid position:
“The way it looks at the moment, Ferrari could qualify on the back row of the grid and be leading the grand prix by Turn 1. That’s how good that car looks.”
Prospects for Lewis Hamilton’s Return to Form in 2026
Lewis Hamilton faced a challenging debut season with Ferrari, ending without a single podium finish in 2025—a first in his storied career. Despite this, Buxton remains hopeful that the sweeping 2026 regulation changes will allow the seven-time world champion to rediscover his competitive edge and contend for wins once more.
Hamilton, at 41 years old, struggled in the recent era of ground-effect cars from 2022 to 2025, securing only two victories over those four seasons. Buxton suggested that Hamilton’s difficulties were more related to the car than a decline in skill.
“I’m hoping this plays back into the hands of some of the, should we say old-school drivers, who did not enjoy the last generation of cars,”
Buxton noted.
He addressed doubts about Hamilton’s future success directly:
“People are saying ‘Lewis is washed, he’s never going to win another race, he’s never going to win another world championship’. I don’t think you lose the skills and abilities that have turned him into a seven-time world champion overnight.”
Buxton further elaborated,
“Because what we saw from 2021 to 2022 was Lewis went from the best in his field, to questionable, overnight. You don’t just lose your ability overnight. That’s the car, for me.”
Speaking on the Chris Moyles Show on Radio X, Buxton confidently predicted,
“I think Lewis Hamilton is going to be winning races again.”
Will Buxton, F1 Presenter
What This Means for the 2026 Formula 1 Season
The combination of Ferrari’s innovative car design and Hamilton’s potential resurgence sets the stage for a thrilling 2026 season. Ferrari looks equipped to regain competitiveness against their rivals, while Hamilton’s experience and talent may spark a return to the front of the grid. Fans and experts alike will be watching closely to see how the regulation overhaul influences the landscape of Formula 1, particularly whether veterans like Hamilton can reclaim their dominance.
The developments underscore a season filled with uncertainty but also hope, signaling an intense battle among teams and drivers eager to capitalize on the new rules and maximize their performance on the track.
