Lewis Hamilton says his goal is to win the 2026 Formula 1 title and Ferrari are “leaving behind the bad” as he begins his second campaign with the team.
Hamilton endured a frustrating first season at Ferrari in 2025, failing to stand on the podium all year for the first time in his F1 career. However, he has visibly been in a more buoyant mood leading up to this weekend’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
Hamilton’s Buoyant Mood and Preparations
Not since 2021 has Hamilton been able to challenge for the championship. The 41-year-old stressed he is “much happier” compared to 12 months ago, having spent a year with Ferrari to understand their culture and team operations.
“We got great mileage done in winter testing – an amazing amount of work has been done from the team back at the factory, but also delivering on those tests,” he said.
“We’ve learned a lot from last year. We’re leaving behind the bad and moving forwards with the good, and we’re just sharp. We are prepared, and we know what we need to do. We also know there’s massive challenges for all of us with the new rules and regulations.”
Ferrari’s Performance and the Competition
Ferrari impressed during Bahrain testing as Charles Leclerc was quickest. Both Hamilton and Leclerc also showed strong long run pace, giving a more representative view of the pecking order.
The paddock consensus is Ferrari and Mercedes are favourites for the first race in Melbourne, although Hamilton hinted Red Bull may have been sandbagging when asked about his realistic ambitions.
He said: “The goal is to win. That’s what everyone’s working towards – every team is. But that’s our goal, to maximise on every opportunity, to be lean, to be hopefully fighting in the top group, hopefully in the first races. We don’t really know.
“Mercedes looks particularly quick, and I’m not really sure whether we have seen the full unleashed Red Bull yet, so it’s really, really exciting.
“But I do know that, whatever the case, I feel like I’ve got a great group of people behind me who are head down, focused on bringing performance and really maximising from every weekend.”
Hamilton’s Optimism for the 2026 Cars
Hamilton struggled in F1’s ground effect era, which began in 2022. However, the new 2026 cars should suit the Ferrari driver’s style of being able to handle a car that can slide more while being under control.
The Ferrari driver wrote in an Instagram post that there will be “no holding back” and stated last month he “forgot who I was”.
Asked where the renewed energy has come from, he said: “A combination of things.
Watch Friday’s practice sessions for the Australian Grand Prix at 1.30am and 5am, live on Sky Sports F1.