While many drivers spent their weekend complaining about the new era of Formula 1, one man was fully enjoying the experience: Lewis Hamilton, who has rediscovered the joy of racing.
The seven-time world champion was in a remarkably positive mood after the Australian Grand Prix this Sunday, where the new generation cars for 2026 sparked lively discussions across the entire grid.
Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, among others, expressed their frustration loud and clear, while Hamilton seemed to literally beam.
Against the grain
Starting from seventh place on the grid, the Ferrari driver finished fourth, just behind his Scuderia teammate, Charles Leclerc, after a spirited race, perhaps his best since joining the Italian team.
And unlike many of his rivals, Hamilton seemed genuinely enthusiastic about this new single-seater.
“Personally, I loved it,” he said after the race. “I found the race really fun to drive. The car was really pleasant to drive. I was watching the cars in front of me, there were some great duels on track. For now, everything is fine. ”
Hamilton rejects the criticism
The 2026 regulatory overhaul has divided opinions throughout Formula 1. Even Hamilton had admitted after qualifying that he was still getting to grips with the complex rules. But once the lights went out in Melbourne, his tone shifted from cautious curiosity to pure pleasure.
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When asked for his opinion on the sharp criticism from rivals like Verstappen and Norris, Hamilton did not respond aggressively. He instead gave a relaxed, almost mischievous answer: “I don’t know, you’ll have to ask them. I thought it was great,” he said. “But then again, they are all further back on the track, with 20 cars in front of them, it might seem different. But from my position, I thought it was great. ”
Fast start and intense battle
Hamilton’s race was not without drama from the very first moments. Ferrari’s lightning starts had been a talking point throughout testing, and Hamilton got off to an excellent start when the lights went out. But things got tricky in Turn 1.
“I got a good start,” he commented on his getaway. “George, I don’t know if he was defending against me, but I ended up a bit wide in Turn 1. But then, I got back into the fight, in the pack. Then, I was really trying to learn the car throughout the race, and towards the end I had good pace. So, a few more laps and I would have had Charles [Leclerc]. It’s positive, and for the next races, I know where I can progress and improve to fight for podiums in the future.”
Improving straight-line speed
Hamilton’s performance suggests that Ferrari is close to the top, but not yet at the level. The 41-year-old veteran believes the car performs well in the corners but still lacks punch on the straights, especially against the Mercedes W17.
“We have to keep pushing, bring improvements and develop the car, which the team is working hard on,” he explained. “We need to look at where we are losing time, which I think is on the straights, because we are as fast as Mercedes in the corners. So, the car is good. We just need something for straight-line speed. It’s something we need to fix, and I have no doubt we will get there. ”
For now, however, Hamilton seems happy to stand out from the chorus of complaints. In a paddock full of skeptics, the Ferrari driver might well be the loudest voice saying that the future of Formula 1 looks “really great”.
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