Overview
- Lewis Hamilton said he will change the people and structure around him at Ferrari for 2026 after a debut season that has extended his run without a grand prix podium to a team-record 23 races.
- Hamilton described the process as complex and outlined a review of decisions and roles across his personal staff and team personnel to optimise how his group works next year.
- Charles Leclerc defended Ferrari’s April decision to halt 2025 upgrades as a “no-brainer,” accepting short-term performance pain to prioritise the car designed for the 2026 regulations.
- Hamilton cautioned that the 2026 cars feel very different in early simulator work, noting reduced downforce, greater torque and active aero, and suggesting fans may not like the change.
- The championship will be decided in Abu Dhabi with Lando Norris on 408 points ahead of Max Verstappen on 396 and Oscar Piastri on 392, as McLaren restricted media access to its drivers and discussion of potential team orders intensified.