Martin Brundle thinks Lewis Hamilton will be far happier in 2026 due to new downforce change

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Martin Brundle believes that Formula 1’s new cars should suit Lewis Hamilton far better than the previous ground-effect generation.

Lewis Hamilton finished fourth at the Australian Grand Prix, but there were plenty of positives for the seven-time world champion.

Ferrari’s smaller turbo meant that Hamilton and Charles Leclerc got rapid starts off the line, immediately putting them in first and fifth on the opening lap.

Some standout performers in Melbourne 👀 Who was you Driver of the Day at the Australian GP?

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The Scuderia are also clear of current constructors’ champions McLaren, although it’s hard to judge Red Bull properly following Max Verstappen’s crash in qualifying and Isack Hadjar’s engine failure.

Hamilton sounds far happier in the car compared to last season, and while a change of race engineer might have improved communication, the SF-26 looks to suit the 41-year-old far better than last year’s car.

Martin Brundle was reflecting on Hamilton’s first race weekend of 2026 and thinks the change in downforce levels caused by the new regulations is going to help the seven-time world champion.

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

Martin Brundle thinks Lewis Hamilton’s ‘mental capacity’ will help him at Ferrari in 2026

It was put to Brundle on Sky Sports F1 (8/3 2:59 am) that Jenson Button had suggested this season’s new F1 cars would suit Hamilton far better than last year.

He suggested: “I think it will suit any driver that’s got enough mental capacity to cope with all that’s going on, and they’re looking at a lot that’s going on inside the cars as well now to maximise that.

“And Lewis, of course, you would put into that category.

“Clearly, they’ve got a lot less downforce, and I think Lewis is always happy with a car that’s moving around a little bit.

“So, yes, I do, I think he looks happier in himself, and he looks happier out on track.”

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

Lewis Hamilton admitted he felt ‘switched on’ throughout the Australian Grand Prix weekend

Juan Pablo Montoya thinks Hamilton looks different to last season, and instead of his performance being under the microscope after the race like it was so many times last year, the focus turns to Ferrari’s pit wall.

Ferrari chose not to pit under the first virtual safety car, handing both Mercedes drivers an advantage that led to their first one-two finish that didn’t include Lewis Hamilton since the 1950s.

Marc Priestley thinks Ferrari ‘got away with’ not pitting under the VSC, but it might have cost Hamilton a first podium finish since leaving the Silver Arrows.

Speaking in his official post-race press debrief about the opening weekend of the season, Hamilton said: “I was happy with the performance for our first race of the season.

“There has been a lot of learning over the weekend, and we squeezed everything out of today and took absolutely all the performance that was on the table.

“From the first laps, I felt switched on and throughout the race, understanding more and more about the car and adjusting my inputs to get the most from it.

“There is still lots to learn and work to do, but it’s clear we’re in the fight. We’ll stay grounded, stay precise, and keep pushing to build on this.”