Lewis Hamilton says he feels “more connected” to Ferrari’s 2026 automotive than its predecessor and that he’s “really excited” to see what the staff can obtain this season.
The seven-time world champion endured a torrid first marketing campaign with the Italian squad after his blockbuster change from Mercedes, as he went a full season with no grand prix podium for the primary time in his profession.
Nonetheless, Ferrari have made an encouraging begin to the 2026 pre-season, establishing themselves as one of many early favourites forward of the beginning of the third and remaining check occasion, which started in Bahrain on Wednesday.
Talking earlier than driving within the afternoon session on Wednesday, Hamilton was requested by Sky Sports activities whether or not he felt probably the most optimistic he had achieved forward of season within the final 5 years.
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“I don’t remember the last five years, but maybe, yeah,” Hamilton mentioned. “I at all times attempt to enter right into a season with confidence, however in fact, you are confronted with all types of various challenges alongside the best way.
“I’ve clearly gone by means of fairly a bit, and for me, all of final 12 months is behind me. I spent plenty of time rebuilding over this winter, refocusing, actually getting my physique and thoughts to a a lot better place.
“I genuinely really feel, personally, in one of the best place that I have been in a very long time, with rearranging issues inside my staff.
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Jenson Button admitted it was ‘robust’ to see former team-mate Lewis Hamilton struggling throughout his first season with Ferrari, however he backs the seven-time world champion to enhance this 12 months.
“And then with the car, I think we’ve started off quite well so far. It’s an exciting time with the new generation of cars, because it’s all brand new, we’re all trying to figure it out on the go.
“Final 12 months we have been locked right into a automotive that in the end, I inherited. This can be a automotive that I have been in a position to be part of creating on the simulator, and so a little bit of my DNA is inside. I am extra linked to this one, for certain.”
‘I have 100 per cent faith in this team’
Despite having finished a disappointing fourth in last year’s Constructors’ Championship, Ferrari have an immediate opportunity to bounce back with the introduction of both new power units and chassis for 2026 offering a reset.
Hamilton cut a frustrated figure at times during his first year in red, but insists his faith in the team hasn’t wavered and that he always knew transforming Ferrari wasn’t going to be “an in a single day factor”.
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Two years on from Lewis Hamilton’s surprising Switch Deadline Day transfer to Ferrari, watch again the highs and lows of his debut 12 months with the staff.
He mentioned: “My belief in the team is still absolutely the same. [I have] 100 per cent faith in this team and what they’re capable of, and that’s why I joined the team.
“I knew it wasn’t going to be an in a single day factor the place we had success instantly. That is why I signed an extended deal, as a result of I knew that as a rule, it is a course of.
“I feel like we’ve also learned a huge amount from last year as a team, and there have been changes that we’ve made.
“Everybody’s consistently eager to make enhancements and be higher, so I feel we’re working higher collectively than ever earlier than, so I am excited for that shifting ahead.”
Sky Sports F1’s Bahrain Testing schedule
Thursday February 19
- 6.50am-11.05am: Morning session Live
- 11.55am-4.10pm: Afternoon session Live
- 8pm: Testing Wrap
Friday February 20
- 6.50am-11.05am: Morning session Live
- 11.55am-4.10pm: Afternoon session Live
- 8pm: Testing Wrap
Watch every race of the 2026 F1 season live on Sky Sports, starting with the Australian Grand Prix from March 6-8. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
