Lewis Hamilton eyes 2026 Ferrari overhaul: ‘I want my DNA in the car’
After a rocky start with Ferrari in 2025, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton is already shaping the team’s future challenger, aiming to tailor it to his unique driving style.
Sports News Blitz’s Noah Ngcobo reports on Hamilton’s determination to leave a lasting legacy at Maranello as he looks beyond 2025.
A tough introduction to Ferrari life
Lewis Hamilton’s long-anticipated move from Mercedes to Ferrari has yet to deliver the kind of headline moments many expected.
As the 2025 Formula 1 season hits its midpoint, the British driver remains without a single podium finish in red, while team-mate Charles Leclerc has racked up four.
Ferrari entered the season with high hopes, but the SF-25 has proven difficult to tame.
Hamilton has been vocal about the challenges, pointing to the car’s uncomfortable balance and lack of flexibility when adapting to his driving style.
“Charles [Leclerc] has been here longer and the car naturally leans toward his preferences,” Hamilton explained. “He’s found a way to make it work. I’ve explored other set-up directions, but none of them deliver the feel I need.”
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A shift in focus to 2026
With Ferrari’s title aspirations for 2025 quickly fading, attention has already begun shifting toward 2026, when F1 will undergo a major regulation reset that includes significant changes to aerodynamics and power units.
For Hamilton, that fresh start is a vital opportunity.
“I’m working closely with Loic Serra and the whole team to ensure the next car reflects my DNA,” he said.
“There are characteristics I just don’t want to see carried over into the future. This car is tough to drive and doesn’t give the comfort I need to push.”
That collaboration has intensified in recent weeks, with Hamilton pushing to influence both the chassis direction and the car's drivability.
While he acknowledges recent progress, such as matching his best finish of the season with fourth at Silverstone, he insists the car remains unpredictable, especially in wet conditions.
Learning from Silverstone
Despite challenging weather at the British Grand Prix, Hamilton found reason for optimism.
“In practice and qualifying, I felt more comfortable. The dry balance was much improved,” the Brit said.
“The race was tough in the wet, but I came away with a clearer understanding of what we need to fix.”
That experience has strengthened Hamilton’s resolve to shape the 2026 design with precision. “I now know exactly what I don’t want built into next year’s car,” he stated.
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Ferrari starts listening
Hamilton’s feedback hasn’t gone unnoticed within the team.
Ferrari’s deputy team principal Jerome d’Ambrosio recently emphasised that both Hamilton and Leclerc are being heard - and, interestingly, their feedback is more aligned than many might expect.
“In the factory meetings, they often land on very similar requests,” said d’Ambrosio. “It’s not just about performance or downforce. It’s also about giving the drivers the tools to adjust the car to their individual styles.”
The team is navigating the complex balance between building an all-around competitive car and tailoring the finer details to suit both drivers.
According to d’Ambrosio, this two-phase process involves a base package for raw performance, followed by refinements that prioritise driver adaptability.
A future defined by Hamilton
As Ferrari prepares for the sweeping 2026 regulations, Hamilton is making it clear that he wants to be more than just a driver - he wants to be a builder.
From setup experimentation to long-term planning sessions at Maranello, his hands are all over the next generation of Ferrari machinery.
“I want to leave a mark here,” Hamilton said. “Not just results, but a car that reflects how I drive.”
For a driver used to battling at the front, that DNA might just be what Ferrari needs to return to championship contention.
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