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Davide Valsecchi admits he “almost hated” Lewis Hamilton for the way he dealt with the media during his first season at Ferrari, but that has completely changed in 2026.
Hamilton endured a self-proclaimed “nightmare” first year as a Ferrari driver in 2025, as the Briton produced the worst season of his Formula 1 career to date. In what was his 19th year on the grid, he failed to secure a single Grand Prix podium during a season for the first time.
The seven-time F1 champion also only scored 156 points through the 24 Grands Prix and six Sprints staged last season, for his worst return under the scoring system introduced in 2010. Yet Hamilton has largely adapted well to F1’s 2026 regulations, and he already has 90 points.
Hamilton took his first Grand Prix podium for Ferrari in China this March, as well, and he has since added to his P3 finish in China with back-to-back P2 results in Canada and Monaco. The 41-year-old is certain that his first Grand Prix win for Ferrari is now on the horizon, too.
Predict at which race Lewis Hamilton will take his first Ferrari Grand Prix win?
Davide Valsecchi ‘hated’ Lewis Hamilton for how he spoke to the media in 2025
Valsecchi is “really enjoying” hearing Hamilton speak so positively again after he cut such a dejected figure last year, amid a frustrating start to his adventure with Ferrari at the end of the ground-effect regulations he hated. The Italian firmly feels the Briton is a changed man.
READ MORE: The five worst moments of Lewis Hamilton’s career in Formula 1
Hamilton called 2025 his “worst season ever”, and even said he was “not looking forward” to 2026 in Las Vegas, on the back of what proved to be the first of three Q1 exits in a row. Yet Hamilton looks a changed man in 2026 after a run of form that has surprised Valsecchi.
Valsecchi told Fanpage: “I’m surprised by how strong Hamilton is. I know Leclerc has had technical problems, various bad luck, and perhaps some poor decisions. This brake issue is causing him problems.
“However, Leclerc aside, Hamilton hasn’t lost his internal battle in the last two races. [In] qualifying and the race, he was strong. He’s doing incredibly well.
“If you look at the standings, compared to what he showed us last year, which was practically nothing of his ability and talent, this year Hamilton is once again a great driver.
“Maybe Hamilton is a little older, not always able to squeeze out the last tenth in qualifying, but this year he’s a great driver.
“He makes almost no mistakes, is always quick, even with his teammate and the others, and is always positive in radio conversations, in his attitude, and in interviews. I’m really enjoying Hamilton’s attitude and demeanour this year, whereas last year, sportingly speaking, I almost hated him.”
Davide Valsecchi backs Charles Leclerc to beat Lewis Hamilton in their 2026 head-to-head
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Photo by Mark Sutton – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images
Hamilton is enjoying himself much more in 2026 and is far more positive about his chances of winning races again as he has adapted well to the new regulations. Unlike in the ground-effect era, the Briton can now use his late braking style to good effect – as the results show.
After losing 19-5 to Charles Leclerc in their Grand Prix qualifying head-to-head and 18-3 for race results last year, they are tied at 3-3 in qualifying and Hamilton leads the Monegasque 4-2 for race results so far in 2026. He has also out-qualified Leclerc at the past two rounds.
Valsecchi points out that Leclerc is having problems with Ferrari’s brakes, which has helped Hamilton to take control in Maranello at the moment, though. So, the Italian still expects to see Leclerc finish on top of Hamilton in their head-to-head battle by the end of the season.
Valsecchi added: “I feel like Leclerc is still going a bit faster right now. He’s had two races with technical difficulties: let’s give him the same brakes and, in my opinion, he’ll start going faster again from Barcelona.
“At the end of the year, I think Leclerc will be ahead. If I’m wrong, I’d be happy for Hamilton. A finish like last year’s, or at least like the last few years, would have been a shame for someone as strong as him.
“Seeing him crash out in Q1 in Las Vegas in the rain, where he’s usually been very strong, was almost a disgrace for such a champion. If that’s the case, I’d be happy for Hamilton.”
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