The British driver explained that setting clear goals within Ferrari has been key to regaining competitive energy and approaching the development of the SF-26 with a results-focused mindset.
The 2026 Formula 1 season represents a decisive stage in Lewis Hamilton’s recent trajectory and in Ferrari’s sporting rebuilding process. After a challenging first year within the Italian structure, the British driver has emphasized the importance of redefining internal objectives as part of a strategy to strengthen the team’s collective motivation and guide the technical work behind the new car.
Hamilton noted that the process of establishing concrete goals within the organization has had a direct impact on his preparation and on how the team approaches the new regulatory cycle.
The seven-time world champion explained that clearly defining the competitive direction helps maintain focus on car development and on building a strong working foundation. “Defining clear goals reinforces motivation,” he emphasized while describing the mindset with which he approaches his second season with the Scuderia.
The Brit believes this approach has been fundamental in regaining competitive energy after a year in which the results did not reflect the expectations surrounding his arrival at the Italian team. During his first campaign with Ferrari, the previous car showed performance limitations that affected the team’s competitiveness, a situation that led the team to focus its resources on the development of the new car designed for the 2026 season.
Ferrari’s new technical project revolves around the SF-26, the single-seater developed for the regulations introduced this year. The car incorporates significant changes in architecture, suspension, and energy systems in order to adapt to the demands of the new rules. In that context, Hamilton has played an active role in the development process, particularly through simulator sessions and technical meetings aimed at optimizing the car’s behavior.
The British driver also highlighted the working environment within the team, noting that he perceives a renewed energy within the Maranello structure. According to Hamilton, there is a stronger competitive mindset among the group of engineers and mechanics, a factor he considers essential to achieving consistent results throughout the season. The presence of this collective attitude, he said, allows the team to turn the lessons of the previous year into a platform for progress.
From a sporting perspective, Ferrari’s main challenge will be turning the technical potential of the new car into competitive performance against rivals also arriving with renewed projects. Hamilton recognizes that the development process will require patience and coordination among the team’s different departments. The immediate objective is not only to improve the car’s speed, but also to ensure steady evolution throughout the championship.
The Brit also emphasized that personal motivation plays a central role in this new stage of his career. For Hamilton, racing with Ferrari represents an opportunity to build a long-term project and actively contribute to the team’s evolution. That combination of individual ambition and collective commitment is reflected in his outlook on the team’s goals for the year.
With the start of the championship drawing closer, Ferrari approaches the 2026 season expecting to turn this renewed motivation into results on track. The true impact of this approach will be measured once the SF-26 begins competing in the opening races of the calendar and reveals whether the chosen technical direction can bring the team back into the fight for the title.