Arrivabene questions Hamilton's Ferrari approach as Newey and Honda collaborate intensely

Former Ferrari boss Maurizio Arrivabene has cast doubt on Lewis Hamilton's proactive preparations for his 2026 move, suggesting the driver's detailed document submissions signal a relationship that is already "over." Meanwhile, Adrian Newey is deeply engaged with Aston Martin's new engine partner Honda, with the two parties holding "quite intense" technical exchanges for the 2026 project.

Why it matters:

Arrivabene's comments highlight the delicate cultural and operational integration a superstar driver like Hamilton faces when joining Ferrari, a team with a distinct historical identity. Concurrently, the intense collaboration between design legend Newey and Honda is a critical early indicator for Aston Martin's ambitious 2026 title bid, marking a pivotal engineering partnership that could reshape the competitive order.

The details:

• Hamilton's Ferrari Integration: Arrivabene, who led Ferrari from 2015 to 2018, expressed skepticism about Hamilton's method of sending "documents" to Maranello ahead of his arrival. He compared it unfavorably to Sebastian Vettel's hands-on approach during his Ferrari tenure, which he described as "almost useless," implying that true integration happens in person, not on paper.
• Newey-Honda Partnership: Honda Racing Corporation president Koji Watanabe revealed frequent and "intense" technical discussions with Newey regarding the Aston Martin AMR26, the first car of their works partnership. Despite the serious exchanges, Watanabe noted they "laughed a lot" in their first meeting, suggesting a positive and productive working relationship is forming.
• Honda's 2026 Engine Launch: Honda has scheduled a special event in Tokyo on January 20 to unveil its 2026 power unit, just days before pre-season testing begins in Barcelona. This formal launch underscores Honda's full-time return to F1 and its commitment to the Aston Martin project.
• Norris's Title Motivation: A behind-the-scenes detail from the 2025 Abu Dhabi finale reveals McLaren placed a special motivational message on Lando Norris's grid tape before the race, which he won to clinch his first world championship by two points over Max Verstappen.
• Calendar Expansion: The Portuguese Grand Prix at the Algarve International Circuit is set to return to the F1 calendar from 2027 on a two-year deal, following its popular appearances during the 2020 and 2021 seasons.

The big picture:

These stories collectively paint a picture of a sport in a state of significant pre-2026 flux. While established champions like Hamilton navigate high-profile team switches, key technical alliances—like Newey and Honda—are being forged behind the scenes. The return of classic circuits like Portimao also reflects F1's ongoing balance between commercial expansion and fan-friendly calendar decisions, all setting the stage for a potentially transformative era in 2026.