The Briton, who achieved his first podium with Ferrari in China, celebrates the battles and the back and forth. He defends changes that have divided opinions on the grid and that have benefited him.
Three races after the start of the 2026 season, Formula 1 remains divided over the new technical regulations: while Max Verstappen leads the group of critics (with rumors of a possible retirement at the end of the year) and has the support of Lando Norris, other drivers like George Russell and Lewis Hamilton have come out in defense of the changes. The seven-time champion, now at Ferrari, has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of this new era.
Hamilton doesn't hide his satisfaction, after finishing sixth at the Japanese Grand Prix, Lewis explained to the media why he supports the changes: "Personally, I find it much more fun, it's been the best battle of overtakes and wheel to wheel racing I've probably had since Bahrain, years and years ago, with Nico... this is how racing should be!"
For the Ferrari driver, the key is the constant "back and forth": "It shouldn't be one move and that's it, it's over," he said. Unlike other eras where the car ahead could escape without remedy, now the cars behind can keep up: "When you get into the lead, the cars behind can follow you," Hamilton explained, highlighting that the power difference between them is very small lap after lap.
The numbers prove him right in his adaptation: Hamilton finished fourth in Australia, climbed to the podium in China (his first top 3 with Ferrari after 26 races dressed in red) and was sixth in Japan, those results put him fourth in the drivers' championship, a notable position after two quiet seasons. It's no coincidence that the defenders of the regulations are the drivers who have improved the most with the change.
Meanwhile, Ferrari is looking to close the gap to Mercedes, who clearly dominate this start of the season, but optimism in the red camp is high, the Italian team has regained the competitiveness lost in 2025 and now has a car capable of fighting for regular podiums, although for now the top two positions are silver arrow territory.
The April break will be key, all teams are working on upgrades ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, where Ferrari hopes to make a statement. Fred Vasseur, the team principal, announced that they will bring their first major upgrade package, the only drawback: Miami will have a sprint format, which leaves only one free practice session to test everything, we'll see if Hamilton, now comfortable with the regulations, can also celebrate a faster car.