It’s no overstatement to say 2025 was Lewis Hamilton’s annus horribilis, with the seven-time world champion’s blockbuster transfer to Ferrari not precisely going the best way he had imagined. Amid struggles with a difficult-to-drive SF-25, a pole-to-flag win within the Chinese language Grand Prix dash turned out to be a false daybreak as he went on to document his first-ever marketing campaign and not using a grand prix podium in his 18-year profession. With the dreaded ground-effect automobiles now within the rearview mirror, can Hamilton bounce again?
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Jake Boxall-Legge – Leclerc could be just a little too powerful to beat
There was a disconnect between Lewis Hamilton and the character of the 2022-25 machines, one which continued to persist together with his transfer to Ferrari. The transfer to Maranello from Mercedes was rather more fraught than anticipated, and the shortage of a constant entourage arguably compounded the difficulties that the seven-time world champion confronted behind the wheel of final 12 months’s SF-25.
The brand new automobile, nonetheless, appears quick. Though Hamilton is much less enthused by the power administration aspect of the 2026 system, he is famous that the brand new automobiles – from a mechanical standpoint – are rather more enjoyable to drive. And if he is engaged and comfy together with his newest chariot, the components are there for a a lot brighter second 12 months at Ferrari. That mentioned, Charles Leclerc could be just a little too powerful to beat regularly.
Stuart Codling –Â Instability below braking will damage Hamilton
Time was after I would unquestioningly have backed Lewis Hamilton to win a world championship in any fairly good automobile. However that was then and this, indubitably, is now.
Though the circumstances of testing made it tough to get a correct measure of automobile efficiency via all of the video games of smoke and mirrors, Ferrari’s technical bundle appears promising. Of the 2 drivers, although, it appears Leclerc is the extra motivated and up for the problem of maximising automobile efficiency below the brand new rules, whereas Lewis has remained comparatively adverse.
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Picture by: Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Photographs
Additionally, Lewis likes a secure automobile below braking, and this isn’t what he’s going to get with the flighty 2026 machines, together with the not-always-predictable results of the electrical motor harvesting below deceleration. Disgrace, however the system continues to maneuver away from his ability set.
Filip Cleeren – It is now or by no means for Hamilton’s Ferrari gamble
There is no hiding from the very fact Ferrari has been considerably of a graveyard for world champions, simply ask Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel. Hamilton was the newest ace for whom the Scuderia’s attract was too exhausting to withstand. It was fairly gut-wrenching to see how an anticlimactic first season with Hamilton broke his spirits, however I’ve additionally seen few drivers with Hamilton’s exceptional skill to recharge his batteries, wipe the slate clear and go once more.
Recharging his batteries is one thing Hamilton must do relatively lots of with these automobiles, however all indications level to him getting on significantly better with the 2026 era of equipment. Will Hamilton rediscovering his mojo be sufficient to beat a formidably quick Charles Leclerc over a complete season? I’m not satisfied, however at the very least the pre-season type desk suggests the 41-year-old will get an opportunity so as to add to his successes as a substitute of seeing his storied profession exit with a whimper.
Be taught extra about Lewis Hamilton and his highway to F1 via his profession in photos.
How our score system works
To set the drivers aside, we’ve got taken inspiration from the official F1 sport to attribute scores in 4 totally different classes, out of a most of 100.
Expertise (EXP): An goal rating merely based mostly on the driving force’s expertise degree via whole race begins
Racecraft (RAC): The motive force’s skill to race wheel to wheel, both to defend a place or pull off a decisive overtake, with out touchdown themselves in bother with the stewards
Consistency (CON): The motive force’s skill to maintain clear, keep away from unforced errors whereas being constantly fast in a race
Tempo (PAC): Displays a driver’s tempo over one lap, largely in relation to their team-mate
Total Ranking (OVR): The 4 above classes shall be mixed into an total score, weighted in direction of Tempo.
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