Cadillac’s 2026 signing Sergio Perez predicts Lewis Hamilton will rebound in F1
Lewis Hamilton’s debut season with Ferrari has been one of the most difficult campaigns of his career, marked by a lack of podiums.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s Noah Ngcobo explores how Sergio Perez believes the Brit can rebound, particularly as the sport prepares for a major regulatory shift in 2026.
Challenges in a new era
Lewis Hamilton has faced a challenging first season with Ferrari, with results falling short of expectations.
The seven-time world champion has yet to claim a podium finish in his debut year with the Maranello squad.
The transition has proven difficult, as Hamilton navigates a new team environment for the first time in his career and adapts to the current generation of ground effect cars.
This class of cars, introduced in 2022, has been described as particularly tricky, with engineers and drivers noting its impact on driving and braking styles.
Hamilton’s average starting position this season is seventh, marking one of the lowest figures of his career, while he has struggled to reach Q3 in recent races.
Mercedes technical director Andrew Shovlin has highlighted how these cars have affected Hamilton’s usually strong qualifying form.
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Perez on Hamilton’s adaptation
Sergio Perez, who will return to Formula One next season with the new Cadillac team, weighed in on Hamilton’s situation during an appearance on The F1 Show.
Perez echoed Cadillac engineering consultant Pat Symonds’ comments that the upcoming 2026 regulations could favour Hamilton’s driving style.
Perez acknowledged the difficulty of the current era of cars, noting that adapting a vehicle to a driver’s natural style can take time.
He praised Hamilton’s resilience and experience, citing his ability to excel even when Mercedes struggled with competitiveness.
Perez emphasised that changing teams at the end of a car generation adds another layer of complexity, but expressed confidence in Hamilton’s ability to adjust.
Looking toward 2026 regulations
The 2026 season will bring sweeping changes to F1, including new engine and chassis rules.
Cars will feature a hybrid power unit with equal parts electric and sustainable fuel internal combustion, and will be lighter and more compact with narrower tires and active aerodynamics.
The new regulations also introduce enhancements to energy recovery systems, with the MGU-K set to produce nearly three times the electrical energy compared to 2025.
Perez suggested that these changes could be advantageous for drivers like Hamilton, who struggled under the current ground effect rules.
He highlighted that past drivers have needed time to adjust when car designs shifted, reinforcing the idea that Hamilton could flourish once the 2026 regulations take effect.
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Perez reflects on his return
Perez will join forces with Valtteri Bottas at Cadillac, forming a competitive pairing for the team’s inaugural season.
He expressed excitement about the partnership and confidence in adapting to the new regulations, noting that both he and Bottas are highly motivated to provide feedback and push the team forward.
Perez also reflected on the benefits of spending a year away from racing, allowing him to observe the sport and prepare for the upcoming season with a fresh perspective.
Hamilton’s path forward
Despite a rocky start with Ferrari, Perez’s comments underscore a wider belief within the paddock that Hamilton’s talent and adaptability will help him overcome the current challenges.
As F1 enters a new era of technical innovation and regulation change, all eyes will be on the seven-time champion to see whether he can rediscover his competitive edge and return to the top of the podium.
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