Lewis Hamilton refutes the idea that the 2026 cars would naturally be more suited to his driving style.
Read more McLaren explains the keys to Lando Norris’s progress after his success in Hungary
After a difficult first season at Ferrari in 2025, Lewis Hamilton returned to the front in 2026.
However, his performances reignite a debate in the paddock: are the new cars better suited to his driving style?
The seven-time world champion clearly rejects this theory.
“I don’t think these cars particularly favor certain drivers.”
According to him, all drivers had to adapt to the new regulations.
“We all had to make adjustments. I don’t feel like I’ve made more than during previous regulation changes.”
A driving style that hasn’t changed
Hamilton acknowledges that the current cars allow him to regain some sensations from previous generations.
However, he states that his way of attacking corners has fundamentally remained the same throughout his career.
“I can indeed drive this car a bit more like the older generations, but when I was winning with those cars, I was driving exactly the same way as today.”
The Briton also recalls that he won many races in the previous era.
“You often hear that this generation of cars suited me perfectly. Yet, during that period, I still won more races than most other drivers.”
Read more Kelly Piquet’s mother takes a jab at Alexandra Leclerc after her very notable appearance in Hungary
Cars that are easier… but more complex
However, Hamilton believes that the 2026 cars have several important differences.
According to him, they are lighter, more forgiving, and especially free from the porpoising phenomenon that made driving very difficult under the old regulations.
“The current cars are a bit easier to drive, more forgiving, and we no longer have aerodynamic bouncing.”
On the other hand, power unit management has become much more sophisticated.
Energy management is crucial
The Ferrari driver explains that drivers now have to constantly adapt their throttle use to optimize the deployment of electrical energy.
An aspect that requires close work with engineers.
“Throttle and power usage require a lot of work. You have to constantly adjust these parameters with the engineers.”
He concludes that this aspect has become essential.
“Today, it’s no longer just about ease of driving. You also have to understand how energy is deployed and know that by slightly modulating the throttle, you can change this deployment over the entire lap. Understanding this is more important than ever.”
Author of five podiums and a first win with Ferrari before the summer break, Lewis Hamilton therefore prefers to attribute his return to the forefront to the adaptation work done with his team rather than to regulations that would naturally favor his driving style.
Read more Max Verstappen sets Red Bull’s priority for the rest of the 2026 season