The Briton, fourth in the championship after his first podium with Ferrari, defends his performance after two complicated years, criticizes those who spoke negatively about him. The Italian team looks to close the gap to Mercedes in Miami.
Lewis Hamilton's second year at Ferrari is noticeably better than his first, after a forgettable 2025, where the seven time world champion never managed to adapt to the SF-25 and was widely outperformed by his teammate Charles Leclerc, the Briton has found in the new 2026 regulations the opportunity to reinvent himself.
In Australia, a bad strategy denied him a podium, in China, he finally managed to get on the podium for the first time dressed in red, a third place that broke a drought that had lasted too long, in Japan, technical issues relegated him to sixth place, but despite the ups and downs, Hamilton sits fourth in the drivers' championship, just eight points behind Leclerc.
This sporting rebirth has been accompanied by a forceful message towards those who doubted him during his difficult years, in statements to the media, the Briton did not hold back.
"When you have difficult years, there are many questions everywhere. Ultimately, I saw certain people who haven't had anywhere near the success that I've had, just talking negatively, as they continue to do," Hamilton stated.
The 41 year old driver celebrated having been able to prove that his presence in the category remains intact: "It was great to be able to come back, go into this season and start strong, to be able to show that I still have what it takes to compete at the front. I'll keep trying to be there and deliver in that sense" he added.
The criticisms Hamilton refers to are not minor, during 2025, the Briton accumulated several negative records: he started last in the last three races and became the Ferrari driver who took the longest to get on the podium since his arrival, meanwhile, Leclerc added seven podiums to his name. The patience of the Italian fans and press ran out at various points in the season.
But the story changed with the new regulations, the SF-26, although still far from Mercedes' dominance, has suited Hamilton better. The Italian team took advantage of the April break to work intensively, they had two filming days to collect data and confirmed that they will bring to Miami the rear wing that can be adjusted with a flap, nicknamed "macarena", which will remain on the car permanently until the end of the season.
Ferrari's goal is clear: to close the gap to Mercedes, which has dominated every race held so far, the Miami Grand Prix, which will take place from May 1 to 3, will be the first test to see if the work during the break has borne fruit.
Hamilton, renewed and with restored confidence, will seek his first victory with the Italian team and continue climbing in a championship that is just beginning.