Three races into the 2026 season with Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton shows a transformed face, both more serene and more determined, with results finally in line with the efforts he put in after a difficult first year in red.
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Long criticized after a complicated season of adaptation, the seven-time world champion now seems to be responding in the best possible way: on the track.
During an interview in Suzuka, he looked back on this delicate period, admitting: “When you go through difficult years, there are questions everywhere.”
Determined and invested
While pointing the finger at certain criticisms he considers unfounded, coming according to him from people who have not experienced a comparable level of success, Sir Lewis’s response to these doubts is clear: “To show that I still have what it takes to fight at the front.”
This determination translated into a winter of intense work, during which Hamilton invested himself deeply in his integration at Ferrari, even going as far as physically moving closer to the team by spending time at Fiorano. More than just a technical adjustment, it was a true personal and professional repositioning.
This work is starting to bear fruit today, notably thanks to a 2026 car more in line with his driving style, to which he actively contributed via the simulator. He also emphasizes that it is particularly satisfying to feel elements on track that he himself had requested during development.
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First podium in red
On the sporting side, the signals are positive: Hamilton has scored points in every race and is looking increasingly comfortable, while engaging in a close battle with teammate Charles Leclerc. But beyond the numbers, one moment in particular symbolizes this renewal: his first podium with Ferrari in China.
An emotionally charged result, which he describes as one of the most difficult to achieve in his career, and made even more special by the presence of his mother and the context of the podium shared with Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, two figures linked to his recent past in Formula 1. He also mentions a very nostalgic moment, proof that this performance goes beyond the simple sporting framework.
Despite a more discreet race in Japan, finishing in sixth place, the momentum remains clearly positive. Hamilton insists on the fundamental role of internal support at Ferrari, highlighting that even during the difficult weekends of 2025, the team always remained encouraging and forward-looking.
The Scuderia’s confidence
Today, this relationship seems even stronger, and the Briton is playing an increasingly central role in the technical direction of the project. Unlike last year, when development was limited at the end of the regulatory cycle, he can now intervene directly with the various departments to guide priorities based on his feelings on track.
Thus, after only three races, the perception around Hamilton has already evolved. Without yet talking about dominance, it is clear that he has found a solid base again, both mentally and sportingly. More than just a return to form, it is a demonstration of resilience and adaptation, confirming that he remains a major player capable of aiming for the front of the field in Formula 1.
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