As crucial discussions with the FIA approach, Lewis Hamilton fears a further sidelining of drivers.
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Lewis Hamilton doesn’t really believe it. As Formula 1 prepares to hold important meetings to correct the flaws in the 2026 engine rules, the Briton is particularly skeptical about the real influence of the drivers.
“I don’t expect much, even though I hope they will make big changes, he explains. There will be far too many decision-makers involved, and in general, that doesn’t yield good results”
A direct criticism of the current functioning, where multiple interests complicate decision-making.
“Drivers have no voice”
The seven-time world champion goes further by denouncing the lack of influence of those primarily concerned: the drivers themselves.
“Drivers have no say, they have no power. We are not part of the committee and we have no voting rights” he emphasizes.
An observation that contrasts with the growing involvement of drivers behind the scenes, notably via the GPDA, where discussions have been particularly heated in recent weeks.
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The forced break in the 2026 F1 calendar, due to the cancellations of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, offers an ideal window to try to adjust the rules.
All major stakeholders will be around the table: FIA, F1, teams and engine manufacturers. The goal is to resolve the problems that appeared during the first three races, notably regarding energy management. But despite this major stake, Hamilton remains cautious about the outcome of these exchanges.
Ferrari facing the Mercedes challenge
Beyond the regulatory debates, the Ferrari driver also points to an internal performance problem. According to him, the Scuderia is significantly behind Mercedes.
“We are clearly behind the Mercedes engine, he asserts. We don’t know yet if it’s the turbo, the engine power or something else, but we’ll have to understand”
Between a lack of political influence and a performance deficit, Hamilton embodies a frustration shared by several drivers on the grid.
As F1 seeks to adjust an already contested regulation, one question remains: will the drivers finally be listened to… or once again ignored? The coming weeks could well be decisive for the future of this generation of single-seaters.
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