The 2026 System 1 season offers Lewis Hamilton with the “perfect opportunity to turn it around” at Ferrari, in response to his former team-mate Jenson Button.
Hamilton made a blockbuster change from Mercedes to Ferrari for the 2025 season, however his first yr in crimson was vastly underwhelming because the seven-time world champion went a full marketing campaign with no grand prix podium for the primary time in his profession.
Nevertheless, the introduction of drastic new rules for the 2026 season presents hope that Ferrari may present Hamilton and his team-mate Charles Leclerc with a much more aggressive automobile than the one which left the crew fourth in final yr’s Constructors’ Championship.
Hamilton spoke all through his first yr at Ferrari about his makes an attempt to affect the design of their 2026 automobile, and Button believes how profitable he was with that mission will play a key function in dictating what occurs when the brand new season begins subsequent month with the Australian Grand Prix.
“It’s more about whether he has been able to have an impact on the car itself, that’s the thing,” mentioned 2009 world champion and Sky Sports activities F1 pundit Button, who drove alongside Hamilton at McLaren from 2010-2012.
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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 yr with the crew.
“Leaping into one other crew in opposition to somebody that is been there for years is all the time tough, however now he is had time with the crew, constructed good relationships, and is hopefully having a number of enter within the course of the automobile and the way it feels.
“It is an vital yr for him. If it would not work this yr, I do not know if it will work once more. That is the proper alternative for him to show it round.
“But also, for Ferrari. It’s not been a great few years for them either, so it would be nice to see them fighting for wins again.”
Hamilton, Ferrari impress at first Bahrain check
Button was talking earlier than the primary of F1’s two official pre-season testing occasions happening in Bahrain, the primary of which final week noticed Ferrari ship a extremely spectacular displaying.
Whereas lap occasions at testing should all the time be considered cautiously given groups might be holding again efficiency, Ferrari’s mixture of velocity and reliability was undoubtedly spectacular forward of the ultimate three-day check, which begins on Wednesday.
The race simulation Hamilton did on the ultimate day of the primary occasion impressed McLaren crew boss Andrea Stella, who in contrast it to the efforts of his personal driver Oscar Piastri and Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli throughout the identical session.
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Sky Sports activities’ Craig Slater and Ted Kravitz take have a look at pre-season testing up to now with the primary week of operating in Bahrain full.
Stella mentioned: “I can confirm that the race pace of Ferrari looks pretty competitive. In the simulation that Hamilton did today, and then there was, at the same time, one from Antonelli and one from Oscar.
“I believe Antonelli and Hamilton have been faster than us at present within the race simulation, whenever you have a look at the occasions. And nonetheless, I’d say that yesterday Charles’ one was fairly aggressive and on the identical stage as at present’s simulations.
“At the same time, I just invite everyone to just be careful looking too much into what we see in testing.
“Nevertheless, early indications from a competitiveness standpoint, I believe, positively put Ferrari and Mercedes on the high of the checklist, when it comes to those who appear to be prepared from a efficiency standpoint, particularly. I am unable to touch upon reliability, this one we’ll see.”
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Watch the highlights of the third day of the primary Bahrain pre-season Take a look at.
There was doubtlessly additional encouragement for Hamilton to take from his race run in that it was understood to be sooner than Leclerc’s, albeit in additional beneficial situations with the observe having additional developed.
Sky Sports activities F1’s Ted Kravitz mentioned: “With the upgrade package that they brough to day two in Bahrain – new front wing, new floor, new diffuser – Ferrari have ended on race simulations, with Charles Leclerc on Thursday and Lewis Hamilton on Friday, they are quickest on a race simulation, they completed the Bahrain Grand Prix quicker than anybody else.
“Lewis’ race run was faster than Charles’, however it was on a extra rubbered in observe, albeit on the identical time of day.”
Sky Sports F1’s Bahrain Testing schedule
Test Two: Wednesday 18th, Thursday 19th, Friday 20th February
- 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
