Ferrari fans will love what Cadillac chief has privately said about Lewis Hamilton’s 2026 chances

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The 2026 Formula 1 regulations offer a complete reset for everyone on the grid, given there will be new cars and engines for the drivers.

Teams have been able to work on their chassis since January this year, while the power unit makers have had a bit longer to optimise their engines for the new season.

It has been a difficult first season at Ferrari for Lewis Hamilton, with the seven-time world champion reaching a season low at the recent Hungarian GP after scoring zero points.

Back-to-back disappointments in qualifying at Belgium and Hungary also led to a rather despondent Hamilton in the media pen, with the Briton blaming himself for the poor results.

Ferrari have been dealing with a fundamental car problem in 2025, but next season the cars will be based on a completely different aero concept. According to Craig Slater, F1 engineer Pat Symonds told him one thing off camera that might appeal to Ferrari fans when speaking on Sky Sports News (26/08 1:38pm).

Pat Symonds says 2026 F1 cars will favour Lewis Hamilton

It’s no secret that the current generation of cars has been difficult for Hamilton, with his driving style lending itself more towards the previous generation.

Cars will rely less on their downforce taken from the floor next year, while there will be less mechanical grip with narrower tyres and a reduction in overall downforce. According to Symonds, this ruleset favours Hamilton.

“Fascinating to look into the 2026 season, which is a complete reset. New power units, new aero rules, and rules which Pat Symonds intriguingly said to me off camera, which he thinks will benefit Lewis Hamilton’s driving style,” said Slater.

“So for those who are concerned a bit that his career at the very highest level in terms of winning championships might be fading, maybe 2026 can be a reset for Lewis Hamilton too.”

READ MORE: All you need to know about Scuderia Ferrari from team principal to factory

Lewis Hamilton urged to rediscover ‘fire’ from 2021 title battle with Max Verstappen

One of the most relentless title battles in the last five years in F1 has been between Hamilton and Max Verstappen, and the pair have been unable to recapture that in recent years.

This is due to Mercedes being on the backfoot, while Ferrari and Red Bull have proven to be no match for McLaren in 2025.

Tim Coronel has urged Hamilton to rediscover the ‘fire’ he had in the title battle with Verstappen, after watching him deal with the media in Hungary.

Hamilton has the support of Jackie Stewart amid his struggles at Ferrari, who said he does not see any reason why the seven-time world champion can’t find success at the Maranello squad.