Lewis Hamilton Battles 'Alien Driving Style' at Ferrari, Hopes for 2026 Rule Change

Lewis Hamilton continues to grapple with what he describes as an “alien driving style” required by his Ferrari SF-25, despite showing recent performance improvements. The seven-time World Champion hopes upcoming F1 2026 regulations will enable him to return to his preferred driving approach.##Why it matters:Hamilton’s struggle to adapt to Ferrari’s car philosophy highlights the deep connection between a driver’s natural style and car design. His public comments underscore the challenge of integrating with a new team and its engineering DNA, especially after a long, successful tenure with Mercedes. The situation also raises questions about Ferrari's current car concept and its adaptability for different drivers.##The details:After 16 Grands Prix with Ferrari, Hamilton admits he’s “still not 100 per cent comfortable with the car.” He noted that while he improved throughout the Dutch and Italian GPs, the driving style feels unnatural compared to his years at Mercedes where he evolved with the car. This discomfort, despite his vast experience, suggests a fundamental mismatch that even an elite driver finds hard to overcome quickly. Hamilton is currently P6 in the F1 2025 Drivers’ Championship, 46 points behind teammate Charles Leclerc.##What's next:Looking ahead to the F1 2026 season, Hamilton expresses optimism that the new technical regulations will offer a fresh start. The 2026 rule changes include:<ul><li>Smaller and 30kg lighter cars.</li><li>Active aerodynamics on front and rear wings, replacing DRS.</li><li>Pirelli tyres becoming 25mm narrower at the front and 30mm at the rear.</li><li>A significant increase in electrical power for engines, which will run on fully sustainable biofuel.</ul>Hamilton hopes these changes will allow him to “go back a little bit towards what I would choose to do,” indicating a desire for a car that better aligns with his intrinsic driving style.