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Jenson Button believes it will be crucial that Lewis Hamilton influenced the design of Ferrari’s 2026 F1 car, otherwise he may struggle to bounce back from his bleak 2025.
Last season marked the worst year that Hamilton had ever endured over his 19-year career in F1, in what was also his first term with Ferrari. The 41-year-old failed to reach a Grand Prix podium in a season for the first time and scored his fewest points under the current system.
The Briton even branded 2025 a “nightmare” and his “worst season ever”, after only scoring 156 points for sixth place in the F1 drivers’ standings. It was far from what he expected after declaring that Ferrari had “every ingredient” to fight for a title upon his arrival in Maranello.
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Jenson Button feels 2026 is the ‘perfect opportunity’ for Lewis Hamilton to turn his Ferrari move around
But Button believes the 2026 F1 season is the “perfect opportunity” for Hamilton to hit back from his bleak 2025, having now had a full year to adjust to Ferrari. This year also marks the start of the 2026 F1 regulations era, with new engine, chassis, aero and tyre rules kicking in.
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Hamilton had the fastest race simulation at the first 2026 Bahrain test, as well, as the SF-26 often caught the eye. Yet if Hamilton did not have an influence in the design of Ferrari’s first car under the new regulations, then Button fears he may never fight at the front of F1 again.
Button told Sky Sports: “It’s more about whether he has been able to have an impact on the car itself, that’s the thing.
“Jumping into another team against someone that’s been there for years is always difficult. But now he’s had time with the team, built good relationships and is, hopefully, having a lot of input in the direction of the car and how it feels.
“It’s an important year for him. If it doesn’t work this year, I don’t know if it is going to work again. This is the perfect opportunity for him to turn it around.
“But also for Ferrari. It’s not been a great few years for them, either. So, it would be nice to see them fighting for wins again.”
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The first pre-season test of the 2026 regulations era in Bahrain last week gave a few positive signs that Hamilton and Ferrari might relish a stronger term together than they had in 2025. Marc Gene feels Hamilton is now “at ease” in the Ferrari as the SF-26 suits his driving style.
It will be vital for Hamilton’s season that Ferrari have built a car that he can push in, having struggled to adapt to their engine and the unstable rear-end of the SF-25 last year on top of his issues with the ground-effect regulations that never suited his preferred way of driving.
Ferrari developed concerns about Hamilton’s ability to adapt to the team and their car after his move from Mercedes last year. The move to Maranello marked the first time that he had ever driven for a team not based in England, and one in Ferrari known for their unique ways.
Additionally, Hamilton saw the flaws in how Ferrari operate, having compared their ways of working with what he experienced over 12 years at Mercedes that returned six of his seven titles. But it is said that some at Ferrari resented Hamilton pointing out their flaws last year.
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