Hamilton: Ferrari's 2026 car has 'a bit of my DNA'

Lewis Hamilton heads into his second season with Ferrari feeling a deeper connection to the SF-26, crediting his direct involvement in its development over the winter. The seven-time champion, who endured a podium-less 2025, believes his feedback has been woven into the car's DNA, providing a crucial foundation for the year ahead as Ferrari shows promising early reliability in testing.

Why it matters:

Hamilton's integration and influence within Ferrari are critical benchmarks for the team's long-term project. After a challenging first year, his ability to shape the car and his renewed personal focus signal a pivotal shift. His decision to sign a longer-term contract underscores a commitment to a process, not just a quick fix, which is essential for rebuilding a championship-contending team around its star driver.

The details:

• Personal Overhaul: Hamilton enters the new season after significant changes off-track, including parting ways with long-time manager Marc Hynes and restructuring his personal team, stating he now feels "in the best place that I’ve been in a long time."
• Technical Influence: Unlike the 2025 car he "inherited," Hamilton has been involved in the SF-26's development for about ten months via simulator work, allowing him to impart his driving style and preferences directly into the design.
• Team Dynamics: Ferrari has also undergone internal changes, moving race engineer Riccardo Adami to a new role. Hamilton notes the team has learned from last year and is "working better together than ever before."
• Testing Promise: Early runs in Barcelona and Bahrain have shown strong reliability for Ferrari's new power unit and competitive lap times, though the true competitive order remains unknown.

What's next:

The real test begins at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix. Hamilton's enhanced connection to the car and his personal reset will be measured against direct competition. His long-term contract reflects a patient, multi-year vision for success at Maranello, making the SF-26's performance the first major indicator of whether that project is on the right trajectory.