Valtteri Bottas on Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari Adaptation and F1 2026 Prospects

Valtteri Bottas, Lewis Hamilton's former Mercedes teammate, admits that Hamilton has taken longer than expected to adapt to life at Ferrari. Despite a challenging debut season with the Scuderia, Bottas backs the seven-time world champion to return to form in F1 2026, while also highlighting the underestimated talent of Charles Leclerc.

Why it matters:

Lewis Hamilton's highly anticipated move to Ferrari has yet to yield the expected results, sparking debate about his adaptation and future performance. Bottas's insights offer a crucial perspective from someone who knows Hamilton's working style intimately, providing context for his current struggles and optimism for the upcoming regulatory changes in 2026, which could redefine his legacy and Ferrari's competitive standing.

The Details:

• Hamilton's transition to Ferrari was expected to be a period of adjustment due to the unique cultural and operational differences from Mercedes and McLaren, where he spent his entire F1 career.
• Bottas noted that the adaptation has taken "longer than expected," attributing it to the significant changes in team culture, equipment, and even language.
• Performance Gap: With three rounds remaining in F1 2025, Hamilton is yet to secure a podium finish in a Grand Prix, though he did win the China Sprint. In contrast, teammate Charles Leclerc has seven podiums and a 66-point advantage in the Drivers' Championship.
• Leclerc's Credit: Bottas suggests that some critics of Hamilton may be "underestimating Charles, how good he is," implying Leclerc's strong performance is a significant factor in the perceived gap.
• Second-Half Improvement: Despite the slow start, Hamilton's performance has shown signs of improving in the second half of the season, aligning more closely with Leclerc's pace.

What's next:

F1 2026 brings significant changes to chassis and engine regulations, which could reshuffle the pecking order and offer Hamilton a fresh start to pursue a record eighth world championship.

• Bottas is optimistic about Hamilton's resurgence, predicting, "I think next year will show what he can still do. He has already proven everything he could in F1. I think he will be fine, he will be better next year."
• Ferrari chairman John Elkann recently urged both Hamilton and Leclerc to "focus on driving, talk less" following the Brazilian Grand Prix, as the team aims to secure P2 in the Constructors' Championship. Hamilton responded by reaffirming his commitment to the team via social media, stating, "I back my team. I back myself. I will not give up. Not now, not then, not ever."

These developments set the stage for a critical F1 2026 season, where Hamilton's ability to adapt to new regulations and fully integrate with Ferrari's restructured technical team will be under intense scrutiny.