Lewis Hamilton’s Thrilling Take on F1’s Revamped 2026 Cars: A New Era of Excitement!
In a dramatic turn of events, Lewis Hamilton has declared that the newly designed Formula 1 cars for the 2026 season are “more fun” to drive, igniting excitement among fans and teams alike! This revelation comes on the heels of Ferrari’s impressive performance during the pre-season shakedown in Barcelona, where they showcased their new SF-26 car and completed a staggering 209 laps over three days.
Gone are the days of Hamilton’s struggles with the previous generation of cars, which he openly criticized for their cumbersome ground-effect aerodynamics. The seven-time world champion has been vocal about his disdain for the 2022-2025 era, stating emphatically, “Not a single thing I will miss about these cars.” This period marked a challenging chapter for Hamilton, as he faced his least successful seasons in F1, often outperformed by his teammates, George Russell and Charles Leclerc.
But now, with the 2026 cars making their debut, Hamilton is feeling revitalized! The new chassis is sleeker and designed for agility, with reduced downforce that enhances driving dynamics. “The car generation is actually a little bit more fun to drive,” he exclaimed, adding that the cars are “oversteery and snappy and sliding, but it’s a little bit easier to catch and I would definitely say more enjoyable.” His enthusiasm is palpable as he reflects on a productive testing week, highlighting the team effort that has contributed to this positive shift.
“Honestly, it’s been a really enjoyable week,” Hamilton shared. “I think a huge amount of work over the winter on my side, personal side, but then what the team have done over the winter to make changes going into the test.” The 41-year-old driver also sensed a renewed energy within Ferrari, who are eager to rebound from a disappointing 2025 season that saw them winless.
He noted, “We’ve had great debriefs, everyone’s really on it. I really feel the winning mentality in every single person in the team more than ever, so it’s a positive.” This collective spirit is crucial as Ferrari seeks to reclaim its former glory in the highly competitive world of F1.
When it comes to performance, Ferrari didn’t just show up; they made a statement! They were one of the only two teams, alongside Mercedes, to complete over 400 laps during the shakedown. Hamilton’s fastest lap time on the final day even bested Russell’s previous benchmark by a tenth of a second—a promising sign for the team.
However, Hamilton remains grounded, acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead. “I mean, we’re under no illusions. We know we’ve got work to do,” he cautioned. He praised Mercedes for their strong showing and acknowledged that Red Bull and Haas also had solid performances. “So we don’t really know where we are, but I think it’s a solid first week and we can really build from here.”
With the clock ticking down to the start of the season, Hamilton emphasized the importance of development. “There may be some big leaps that we’re going to need to take. Development’s going to be key,” he stated, underscoring the need for meticulous planning and teamwork.
As the F1 circus prepares for two official pre-season tests in Bahrain on February 11-13 and 18-20, the anticipation is building. The teams will have just two weeks to gear up for the exhilarating Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, kicking off from March 6-8.
Buckle up, F1 fans! This season promises to be filled with thrilling races and fierce rivalries as the sport enters a new and electrifying chapter. Don’t miss a moment of the action—tune in to Sky Sports to watch every race live!








