Hamilton's F1 2026 Resurgence: Fittipaldi Points to New Car

Lewis Hamilton has finally rediscovered his best form in Formula 1 this season. After a tough debut year with Ferrari, he now sits second in the standings and has already tasted victory with the Italian squad in Barcelona. Two-time world champion Emerson Fittipaldi has an interesting theory behind this resurgence.

According to Fittipaldi, the most overlooked factor is the new technical regulations that brought smaller and lighter cars this year. "One thing that nobody talks about a lot is the new car. It's smaller, with less downforce, and to me it makes it harder to drive fast. I think it brings [out] more talent," he told F1.

For Lewis Hamilton, that's precisely where his strengths lie. "I think that's one of the reasons why Lewis improved, because of his car control, his feeling for the car – he's an extremely talented driver," Fittipaldi added. Last year, Hamilton failed to secure a single podium and was consistently outperformed by teammate Charles Leclerc, even questioning his own worth.

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Harsh criticism came from all sides. "I remember last yearg it happened to me in IndyCar, and in F1, when you get older people start saying, 'Well, he cannot drive', and everybody last year criticised Lewis. 'He cannot beat Leclerc, he's too old'. Now he's going strong," Fittipaldi recalled.

Beyond the car, a second year with Ferrari has made a huge difference. "He's working in his second year with Ferrari, he knows the engineers, and he knows the system," Fittipaldi explained. The combination of a car that suits his driving style and a deeper understanding of the team has made Hamilton competitive again.

Hamilton's revival is great news for Formula 1. "I think for the sport it's good, for the fans it's good. Seeing Ferrari winning again, and Lewis winning again, is fantastic," Fittipaldi concluded. With this momentum, could an eighth world title become a reality by the end of the season?