Melbourne, Australia – Lewis Hamilton enters the 2026 Formula 1 season with a clear ambition: to win. The seven-time World Champion stated his goal ahead of the Australian Grand Prix, marking his second season with Ferrari.
Hamilton, now in his 20th Formula 1 campaign, focused on “cultivating a positive mental attitude” during the off-season, according to reports. His first year with the Scuderia proved challenging, as it was the first of his career where he didn’t reach the podium. However, pre-season testing in Bahrain showed promising mileage for Ferrari, leading rivals to consider them contenders.
“I would say it’s not a confidence thing,” Hamilton explained. “We got great mileage done in winter testing – an amazing amount of work has been done from the team, back at the factory, and also delivering on those tests. We’ve learned a lot from last year – we’re leaving behind the bad and moving forwards with the decent. We’re sharp, prepared, and we know what we need to do. We also know there are massive challenges for all of us with the new regulations.”
The 41-year-old driver emphasized the benefits of familiarity with the Ferrari team. “It’s different to the first year, and it’s a much nicer feeling having spent a year with the team, understanding the culture, finding ways of working together,” he said. This improved team dynamic comes as Ferrari prepares to debut under new regulations this season.
Hamilton’s pursuit of an eighth World Championship begins this weekend in Melbourne, as the Formula 1 season officially kicks off. The Australian Grand Prix marks the start of a year filled with anticipation and new challenges for the veteran driver and the Ferrari team. The season will also see the finish of the DRS and the debut of Cadillac, VG reports.
The opening of the 2026 season is notable for being one of the biggest rule changes in the sport’s history, according to Norsk Tipping. Hamilton will be looking to capitalize on the changes and secure his first win with Ferrari, while also being considered a favorite for the title alongside George Russell, Mix Vale reports.
During practice sessions at the Australian Grand Prix, Hamilton had a direct exchange with his new Ferrari engineer, Carlo Santi, seeking specific feedback on performance improvements, as detailed by MSN. He pressed Santi for details on where he was losing time, receiving information about power limitations in each sector.
