Lewis Hamilton Aims to Use Final Races to Prepare for 2027

Lewis Hamilton has made clear that Ferrari has already set its sights on 2027. The British driver far from settling for fighting for second place in the constructors' championship, has assured that the last five races of the season will be used as a testing laboratory to correct the problems that have weighed down the SF-26 and prepare the assault on next year's title.

"I think these next five races are like test races, of course we want to keep second place in the Constructors' Championship but this is a moment for us to really see how the season has gone and keep working and modifying our processes, I think we have already done that and things have reached a better place. For me I am really focused now on next year's car, looking at the good things from this year and making sure not to lose them but to add them to the chassis and then, of course, in the background I am pushing as hard as I can to make sure we arrive with a power unit that can compete with Mercedes and Red Bull" Hamilton declared at Thursday's press conference in Mexico City.

The Briton has enjoyed a solid second season with the Scuderia that has included a victory in Barcelona and five more podiums, alongside his teammate Charles Leclerc, Hamilton has helped Ferrari to place second in the teams' standings but Red Bull is closing the gap quickly thanks to Max Verstappen's two consecutive victories, despite this Hamilton has clear that the priority objective is not to defend that position but to lay the foundations for a better future.

"I think the engine is probably number one, we have reliability, which is good but if we were matching the power of the others, we would be fighting for the championship this year, which we know so rectifying that and closing the gap is important, I know everyone is working flat out at the factory to try to do it and I fully trust them in that process, it will not be easy but it is possible" the seven-time world champion explained.

Hamilton also referred to the limitations of the chassis which although it is one of the best in the corners, does not quite find the right operating window: "With the car you always want more aerodynamic load, you are always looking for a wider window in which the car works better. Right now it is quite narrow, when you do it right, it is good, but it is very narrow and you are entering and leaving it" he noted.

Ferrari faces the last races of the season with the need to balance the defense of its second position in the championship with the preparation of the 2027 car, Hamilton's decision to prioritize future development over immediate results reflects the maturity of a driver who has already won everything and who now seeks to return Ferrari to the top.

Time will tell if this strategic bet bears fruit and if the Italian team can, finally, break its title drought and reign again in Formula 1, what is certain is that Hamilton is 100% committed to the project and will give everything to reach the top.