James Hinchcliffe names the F1 driver who has the most to prove this year after 2025 ‘shocker’

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The 2026 Formula 1 season is a year where several drivers have a point to prove, for various reasons.

The obvious candidates would be those joining the grid. Arvid Lindblad is the only rookie in 2026 and will have to step up with Racing Bulls, while Audi and Cadillac will be under pressure to perform after coming to F1 as new teams.

The countdown is on — which 2026 challenger are you most excited to see? 👀

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But multiple drivers have to show that they are still capable of performing at this level in 2026, or face leaving the grid at the end of the year.

Stars such as Franco Colapinto and Liam Lawson both have points to prove in 2026 as their futures are on the line. Isack Hadjar will be looking to break free from the curse of the second Red Bull seat after replacing Yuki Tsunoda.

But the driver who has the most to prove this season, according to James Hinchcliffe, is a name almost no one would have been saying a few years ago.

James Hinchcliffe says Lewis Hamilton has the most to prove in 2026 after 2025 ‘shocker’

Lewis Hamilton suffered a disastrous first season in 2025, going without a podium in a calendar year for the first time in his career.

The seven-time champion was constantly dejected as he vented his frustrations at Ferrari, with how difficult the SF-25 was to drive. It even led to speculation that he could retire, with Hamilton being ‘hurt’ by such rumours.

But the fact is that he and the team desperately underperformed as Ferrari finished fourth in the constructors’ championship. Hinchcliffe says they have to ‘step up’ after what was a truly ‘bizarre’ season.

Change my mind: Lewis Hamilton is the F1 driver who has to improve the most in 2026

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Asked on The Red Flags Podcast which F1 driver has the most to prove in 2026, he said: “Lewis. I mean, it’s an insane thing to say that Lewis Hamilton will have anything to prove.

“Maybe that’s not even the right way to say it, maybe it’s Ferrari. Just, they have to rebound from the year that they had. It was a bit of a shocker.

“The drivers were saying it, Fred was having to dodge bullets left, right and centre in the press, the Elkann thing was bizarre and just shows that the whole thing is… there’s a little bit of contempt in there in general. So, I think that squad needs to step up.”

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

Are Ferrari starting to improve Lewis Hamilton’s situation in 2026?

Hamilton’s 2025 campaign was hampered by poor operational choices and underperforming upgrades. Fred Vasseur had pushed for a suspension upgrade, against his drivers’ wishes, which ultimately backfired.

Even with the underdeveloped car, chairman John Elkann publicly criticised Hamilton and Charles Leclerc for talking too much and that they should focus on driving. It sums up just how much Ferrari need to improve as an operation.

Early steps have been taken to ensure that in 2026, as Hamilton is set to get a new race engineer. However, Ferrari have delayed Riccardo Adami’s replacement, with the Brit working with Bryan Bozzi in Barcelona this week.

Karun Chandhok is baffled by Hamilton not working with his race engineer yet, considering that it is pre-season testing and he needs to adapt to a new car and regulations.

Nevertheless, preparations are underway in Barcelona, and spies have already been mind-blown by Ferrari and their engine in 2026. Whether this is the year Hamilton challenges for the title in red is another question.