Fittipaldi: Hamilton's Resurgence Driven by 2026 Car Factor 'Nobody Talks About'

Lewis Hamilton's return to form at Ferrari this season is driven by the characteristics of the new 2026 cars and his growing comfort within the Scuderia, according to Emerson Fittipaldi. After a difficult, podium-less 2025 campaign, the seven-time champion has won in Barcelona and sits second in the championship standings.

Why it matters:

Hamilton's resurgence silences critics who wrote him off as too old during last year's struggles against Charles Leclerc. For Ferrari, having both drivers competitive again is crucial for a sustained title challenge and reinvigorates a fanbase eager to see the Scuderia consistently fighting at the front.

The details:

• Fittipaldi told F1 that the 2026 machinery is "smaller, with less downforce," which he feels makes the cars harder to drive fast and places greater emphasis on raw car control and driver talent.
• The two-time champion believes this regulatory shift plays directly to Hamilton's strengths, highlighting his elite feel and natural ability behind the wheel.
• Experience within the team is also paying off. Hamilton now knows his engineers and Ferrari's systems after a full season, removing the adaptation barriers that hampered him in 2025.
• Fittipaldi drew on his own career to defend Hamilton against age-related criticism, recalling similar doubts he faced before proving detractors wrong.

The big picture:

Hamilton's Barcelona victory and current championship position mark a stark turnaround from 2025, when he occasionally questioned his own worth inside the team. If the 2026 regulations continue to reward his precise, instinctive driving style, Ferrari could possess the driver pairing required to mount a genuine title fight deep into the season.