Last Updated on April 21 2026, 12:19 pm
Hamilton feels reborn at Ferrari after a difficult debut season – When Lewis Hamilton joined Scuderia Ferrari ahead of the 2025 season, the expectations were huge. However, instead of experiencing an immediate fairytale ending, the seven-time world champion endured one of the toughest campaigns of his career. Struggling to adapt to a new environment, systems and team culture, his first year in red fell well short of the standards he had set throughout his Formula 1 career.
Heading into 2026, there was little margin for error. Another inconsistent season would have raised serious questions about Ferrari’s direction and Hamilton’s ability to rediscover his peak form. However, the British driver has responded emphatically, delivering a much stronger start to the season, including his first podium in Ferrari colours.
Further, insiders from the Italian media have indicated that a large swathe of upgrades is coming for Miami race in the hope that the gap to Mercedes can be closed.
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A reset in mindset and preparation
Hamilton has been open about the internal reset that powered his resurgence. Rather than focusing solely on his performance on the track, he took a more holistic approach, addressing the mental and personal aspects that underpin elite success.
“Many people go through moments of doubt at some point in their lives, and it’s important that you pick yourself up, assess where you are, and come back with a positive mindset,” he explained during the season opener in Australia.
This change in mindset has been accompanied by a renewed commitment to preparation. According to Hamilton, his training has reached a new level, enabling him to approach race weekends with greater confidence and clarity.
“I feel great coming here. Training has been fantastic. Working with the team has been incredible.”
This combination of mental reset and physical preparation has laid the foundation for a far more stable and competitive campaign in 2026.
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Stronger integration within Ferrari
Beyond personal changes, Hamilton has also highlighted a crucial factor behind his improved performances: a much deeper understanding of how Ferrari operates.
The transition from his previous environment to Ferrari was always going to take time. The team’s internal processes, communication style and culture differ significantly from what he had been accustomed to. In 2025, that adjustment period clearly took its toll.
Now, with a full season under his belt, the difference is clear.
“The changes in my personal space and the way I interact with the team and the way the team operates are so much smoother than last year,” he said.
This improved harmony has led to better collaboration, clearer feedback and, ultimately, stronger results on the track.
“I am much happier,” said Hamilton
Perhaps the clearest indicator of Hamilton’s turnaround is his own assessment of where he stands today. The frustrations of 2025 have been replaced by a sense of alignment and optimism within the team.
‘It’s hugely different from the first year, and it’s a much nicer feeling having spent a year in the team, understanding the culture and ways of doing things and finding ways to work together.’
Hamilton believes that Ferrari is now operating from a far stronger baseline, both technically and emotionally. This cohesion is enabling him to get more out of the car — and out of himself.
‘I think we are in a good position now as a team. I feel very much in sync with the team today. So yes, I am much happier.”
After a turbulent start to his time at Ferrari, Hamilton’s resurgence suggests that the partnership may finally be moving in the direction both sides had envisioned.
Ferrari’s Miami SF26 upgrade push: Is the new structure finally delivering results?
While Lewis Hamilton has spoken about feeling “much happier” at Scuderia Ferrari, this renewed confidence is not happening in isolation. Behind the scenes, a major shift in how the team operates is beginning to translate into tangible performance gains, most notably in the form of a significant upgrade package planned around the Miami Grand Prix.
According to Autoracer’s reporting, Ferrari’s internal chain of command under Frédéric Vasseur has been fundamentally overhauled to eliminate the inefficiencies that have hindered the team in recent years.
A new chain of command is driving development
The new structure clearly assigns responsibility to key technical figures, ensuring that development directions are defined earlier and executed with far less internal friction.
This has enabled Ferrari to progress upgrades through the pipeline more swiftly, reducing the delays that previously hindered progress.
This new approach is already evident in the scale and timing of upcoming developments. Ferrari is preparing one of its most substantial upgrade packages for the 2026 season for the SF26, with a debut expected in Miami following validation work. It is said that as much as 50% of the car will change for the US race in Florida next month.
Rather than incremental tweaks, this package is understood to involve wide-ranging aerodynamic refinements aimed at addressing drag and improving overall efficiency — areas that have limited the car’s competitiveness thus far.
Miami could be a big turnaround
This moment is particularly significant not just because of the content of the upgrades, but also because of the speed and cohesion with which they have been delivered. The revised structure has enabled Ferrari to operate with a level of clarity and responsiveness that has often been lacking, ensuring that technical direction is more closely aligned with on-track needs.
In this context, Hamilton’s improved performance seems closely linked to the team’s internal evolution.
His comments about smoother collaboration and a stronger connection with the team reflect an environment that is now functioning with far greater precision. Miami could therefore serve as an early indicator of whether this new organisational model, combined with Hamilton’s resurgence, can deliver a genuine step forward in performance.
NEXT ARTICLE – Date set for Alpine Mercedes deal
The internal turmoil at the Alpine F1 Team has begun to extend far beyond basic questions of ownership. What began as a disagreement over the sale of a 24% stake has evolved into a wider conflict that could transform the team’s sporting strategy.
At the heart of the matter lies a dispute between Renault and the investment firm Otro Capital. This disagreement has created a tense internal environment at a time when stability is crucial, especially as Alpine seeks to gain momentum on the track.
As ownership uncertainty bleeds into decision-making, the consequences may extend well beyond the boardroom.
The 24% stake at the heart of the conflict
The origins of the dispute lie in Alpine’s rapid valuation increase. When Otro Capital invested in 2023, the team was valued at around $900 million. Since then, the commercial boom of Formula 1, combined with Alpine’s improving competitiveness, has significantly increased that figure.
Now, the American fund is seeking to sell its 24% stake under more favourable conditions. However, Renault, which still holds a decisive contractual advantage, has resisted this plan.
Under the terms of their agreement, Renault has the right to veto any sale of the minority stake until 13 September 2026. This means that, for now, no transaction can be completed without the majority shareholder’s approval.
This has effectively stalled negotiations and intensified tensions between the…CONTINUE READING THIS STORY
A Brazilian motorsport writer with a background in sports journalism and broadcast reporting, Treze brings cultural insight and on-the-ground knowledge of South American racing. With credentials in communications and journalism, Treze connects today’s Formula 1 with the enduring legacy of Ayrton Senna.
A senior writer at TJ13, C.J. Alderson serves as Senior Editor and newsroom coordinator, with a background in online sports reporting and motorsport magazine editing. Alderson’s professional training in media studies and experience managing content teams ensures TJ13 maintains consistency of voice and credibility. During race weekends, Alderson acts as desk lead, directing contributors and smoothing breaking stories for publication.
