Ferrari are now finally showing Lewis Hamilton their ‘full potential’ ahead of Chinese Grand Prix

Follow us on Google Discover

Since joining Ferrari last year, Lewis Hamilton has not really seen what the team can offer after a dismal 2025 campaign. Now, he is finally starting to see it.

What was hoped to be a fresh start for his F1 career after leaving Mercedes turned into a nightmare, by Hamilton’s own admission. Underperforming machinery, poor strategy calls and miscommunication with the pit wall were just a few issues plaguing him in 2025.

It culminated in Hamilton not scoring a podium for the first time in a calendar year, and he looked utterly despondent throughout the year. With the regulation changes in 2026, many believe that the seven-time champion would benefit the most, and they might be right.

Ferrari battled Mercedes for victory at the Australian Grand Prix last weekend. Charles Leclerc took the lead multiple times in the race, but Ferrari’s pit stop strategy blunder cost the team the win, finishing P3 and P4.

Hamilton was much more positive about the car than he ever was last year, stating that he felt comfortable with the new ruleset. Ferrari have been listening to Hamilton’s feedback and made several innovations to the SF-26 that are catching people’s attention.

The smaller turbo gives the Maranello outfit a huge advantage with race starts, while the radical ‘Macarena’ rear wing will debut at the Chinese Grand Prix this weekend. It is evidence that Ferrari are finally showing Hamilton their ‘full potential’.

Lewis Hamilton is finally seeing Ferrari’s ‘full potential’ as they push to bring upgrades forward in 2026

Jenson Button thinks a new Hamilton era is coming to F1 this season, and it is hard to disagree when hearing the 41-year-old’s comments about Ferrari. He has been seriously impressed by their efforts behind the scenes.

Speaking on Thursday in the paddock in Shanghai, he admitted that the ‘upside down’ rear wing, which turned heads during pre-season testing, has been introduced earlier than expected.

“We did a full day or so on the wing, so I think we got what we needed,” he said. “I’m so grateful for the team, because it was actually supposed to be later down the line, and they worked really hard to develop it and bring it here.

“So that, for me, is just… it’s great to see that the team are fighting, pushing, chasing, and really working overtime back at the factory to be able to bring upgrades, because that’s the name of the game.

“Last year, we didn’t get to see – I didn’t get to see – the team’s full potential in that mode, because we were working on some issues.”

Hamilton is finally seeing Ferrari push the boundaries and do everything they can to improve the car and put him in a winning position. The 2026 regulations are the changes that the Brit needed, and Maranello is giving him all the reasons to be excited.

READ MORE: Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton’s life outside F1 from net worth to family

Can Lewis Hamilton win in China?

F1 fans believe Hamilton will beat Leclerc in 2026, matching a feat that only Carlos Sainz ever achieved as his teammate. In Australia, the seven-time champion was faster than the Monegasque driver in the second stint.

Hamilton has clearly taken a step forward this year and could be in a position to win races. Heading into China, Ferrari will be optimistic about their chances.

Shanghai was the site of the 41-year-old’s only win in 2025 as he commanded the Sprint race from pole position. Hamilton will certainly be looking to replicate his success, and he may have the car to do it.

Jolyon Palmer is backing Hamilton to repeat his heroics from last season. All eyes will be on the Brit this weekend, who is definitely reinvigorated at Ferrari in 2026.