Overview
- Lewis Hamilton finished 2025 without a grand prix podium and placed sixth in the standings, 86 points behind Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc.
- Ferrari boss Frédéric Vasseur says the team and Hamilton share responsibility for last year’s struggles and must improve collaboration to unlock performance.
- The 2026 cars will be shorter, narrower and lighter with far greater electrical power and active aero, and Esteban Ocon likened the switch to jumping from F1 to rally as teams report limited simulator data so far.
- FIA single‑seater director Nikolas Tombazis expects the internal‑combustion engine/power unit to create the first performance gaps, with the ADUO mechanism designed to help lagging manufacturers catch up.
- Fan surveys place Hamilton under the most pressure heading into 2026, and while Ralf Schumacher has claimed he avoids simulator work, that remains unconfirmed; his Ferrari contract runs through 2026 as media speculate about future options.