Lando Norris disagrees with Max Verstappen about Lewis Hamilton’s prospects at Ferrari

Follow us on Google Discover

Lando Norris says he ‘would love’ to race against Lewis Hamilton more often in 2026. The two drivers were rarely in direct competition this year.

Norris became Britain’s 11th world champion with his third-place finish in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. He’s also McLaren’s first title-winner since Hamilton in 2008.

Hamilton didn’t explicitly target the world championship in his first year at Ferrari, but he certainly would have expected to fight for race victories. After winning the Sprint in China, he didn’t score a single podium in the Grand Prix format.

The 40-year-old just about finished sixth in the world championship, 267 points behind his compatriot.

Lando Norris is confident Lewis Hamilton can ‘bounce back’ at Ferrari

The F1 Show asked Norris whether he expects to compete with fellow Britons Hamilton and George Russell in 2026.

Max Verstappen says Hamilton ‘definitely’ won’t get faster at his age, while teammate Charles Leclerc continues to improve. But Norris’ outlook was far more positive.

He has backed Hamilton to ‘bounce back’ next year, when the cars will be radically different.

“We’ve had a good amount of battles already,” he said. “I would love to race a bit more with Lewis. The team struggled a bit more this year than everyone was expecting.

The 2026 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will be Lewis Hamilton’s final F1 race – discuss.

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

“Lewis has proved himself to be probably the best of all time. If anyone can bounce back from difficult years, it’s Mr Hamilton.

“I would love to race against him more. It’s always a privilege that I get to race against someone that is the best in the world.”

Many experts believe Mercedes are the favourites for the 2026 season, which could make Russell the biggest threat to Norris’ crown.

‘It’s my life’s goal to win in red,’ says Oliver Bearman amid 2027 Ferrari talk

Haas driver and Ferrari academy starlet Oliver Bearman is the favourite to replace Hamilton in 2027 if he has another difficult year. Bearman impressed in his rookie season by scoring 41 points, more than established midfield driver Esteban Ocon on the other side of the garage.

Bearman has already driven for Ferrari at the 2024 Saudi Arabian GP after Carlos Sainz withdrew with appendicitis, which solidified his determination to race for the Scuderia full-time.

“This is my dream, it’s what drives me to give my all and gives me energy every morning,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport. “I want to race in red, I want to win in red: it’s my life’s goal.

“I was lucky to have had a taste of it when I raced in Jeddah in 2024, replacing Sainz, and now that I know what it feels like, I’m even more motivated.

“But for now, I’m focusing on my team, trying to give my best here, knowing that my dream will come true one day I want 2026 to be a solid year, especially for my team, Haas, so I can try to seize the best opportunities with them in this new regulation change.

“As for the rest, I have no control: I feel ready for whatever the future holds. And next year, with more experience, I want to show it even more. To everyone.”

Martin Brundle thinks Ferrari are already ‘eyeing’ Bearman for a seat when one becomes available. Hamilton’s contract runs until 2027 but the third year may not be guaranteed.