Hamilton Reflects on Tough Ferrari Debut as Russell Addresses Verstappen Rumors

As the F1 world looks toward 2026, Lewis Hamilton has reflected on a "torrid" debut season with Ferrari in an open letter, while George Russell has moved to quell persistent speculation about Max Verstappen potentially replacing him at Mercedes. These off-season storylines highlight the immense pressure and scrutiny facing the sport's biggest stars and teams.

Why it matters:

The narratives surrounding two of the grid's top teams are defining the pre-season. Hamilton's performance at Ferrari is under a microscope after a winless 2025, and his ability to partner with Charles Leclerc will be crucial for a title challenge. Meanwhile, stability at Mercedes, a team in a rebuilding phase, is paramount, and Russell's public confidence is a key part of maintaining that focus amid external noise.

The details:

• Hamilton, via his non-alcoholic agave brand Almave, published a letter emphasizing the need to "pause, reflect, and build" after a challenging first year with the Scuderia where he failed to reach a podium for the first time in his career.
• A recent poll of F1 fans named Hamilton as the driver under the most pressure to perform in 2026, underscoring the high stakes for the seven-time champion.
• Russell firmly stated he is "not worried" about losing his seat to Verstappen, addressing rumors that circulated during the first half of 2025 when the Dutchman's future at Red Bull appeared uncertain.
• Away from the track, Fernando Alonso continued to showcase his impressive car collection, this time displaying an extremely rare $10 million Mercedes on social media.
• In technical news, the final design evolution of the Adrian Newey-conceived Red Bull RB17 hypercar was revealed, marking the last project from the legendary aerodynamicist during his tenure with the team.

What's next:

All eyes will be on pre-season testing to see if Ferrari has given Hamilton a car capable of fighting for wins and ending his podium drought. For Mercedes, the pressure is on to deliver a chassis that can close the gap to the front and validate their current driver lineup, silencing the silly season chatter for good.