Alex Albon tips Lewis Hamilton to thrive under F1's 2026 rules

Williams driver Alex Albon has singled out Lewis Hamilton as the driver most likely to excel under Formula 1's major 2026 technical regulations, citing the seven-time champion's unique driving style as a perfect match for the new generation of cars. This comes as Hamilton himself declares a mental 'reset' after a challenging period, aiming to recapture his winning form with Ferrari.

Why it matters:

Hamilton's quest for a record-breaking eighth World Championship has been stalled since 2021. A fundamental rules reset in 2026 represents his clearest remaining opportunity to achieve that historic goal. If Albon's assessment is correct, and the new car characteristics play to Hamilton's strengths, it could reignite a legendary career and reshape the final chapters of his time in F1.

The details:

• Albon's Analysis: During a Williams team Q&A with Carlos Sainz, Albon suggested Hamilton's style of making corners feel short and prioritizing entry over exit could be highly effective in the 2026 cars, which are expected to be smaller, lighter, and feature movable aerodynamics.
• Hamilton's Reset: The prediction follows a notably rejuvenated mindset from Hamilton. After a difficult 2025 season—his first without a podium—and a move to Ferrari, he used pre-season testing to signal a fresh start, posting on social media about being "reset and refreshed" and vowing, "you’re not going to see that mindset again."
• Recent Struggles: The endorsement highlights a dramatic turnaround from Hamilton's recent form. The ground-effect era (2022-2025) was his least successful in F1, yielding only two wins and culminating in a sixth-place finish in the standings last year amid Mercedes' conceptual struggles.
• Testing Pace: In the 2026 pre-season test in Bahrain, Hamilton set the seventh-fastest time in the Ferrari, 1.4 seconds behind teammate Charles Leclerc but within six-tenths of P2, showing potential in the new overbody-aero car.

What's next:

All eyes will be on whether Hamilton can translate his renewed confidence and a car potentially suited to his style into a genuine title challenge. The 2026 season represents a clean slate for all teams and drivers, but the combination of a motivated Hamilton, a top team like Ferrari, and favorable regulatory predictions creates a compelling narrative for a potential late-career resurgence.