Lewis Hamilton: 2026 F1 Cars Feel Slower

Formula 1, Sportrik Media - Lewis Hamilton has claimed the 2026 generation of Formula 1 cars “feel” slower than Formula 2 machinery, while maintaining that they are ultimately more enjoyable to drive than the previous era.

The seven-time world champion has been vocal in recent years about his mixed feelings toward the 2022–2025 ground effect cars. Under the new regulatory framework, however, the Ferrari driver has offered a more nuanced assessment, highlighting both the reduction in downforce and the altered driving characteristics.

It is accurate that the 2026 cars are slower than the outgoing generation due to significant aerodynamic revisions and the new 50-50 split between combustion and electrical power. However, Hamilton’s suggestion that they are slower than F2 machinery does not align with timing data. Last season’s Formula 2 pole lap was recorded at 1:44.08, whereas during the opening morning of testing at the Bahrain International Circuit, Max Verstappen set a session-best time of 1:35.433.

Hamilton concluded the four-hour session fourth fastest, exactly one second behind the Red Bull Racing driver.

“Reflecting on the new cars, it’s a lot less downforce,” Hamilton told media, including RacingNews365. “The car is shorter, it’s lighter, and it’s actually easier to catch.”

He experienced a spin during his run in the SF-26, underlining the car’s more sensitive balance under the revised aerodynamic philosophy.

“It’s quite fun, it’s like rallying a lot,” he added. “Yeah, I think we’re slower than GP2 [F2], right now, right? I mean, it does feel like that.”

Hamilton also noted that the car felt different in Bahrain compared to the earlier private shakedown at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

“Barcelona didn’t feel too bad,” he said. “Here in Bahrain, it’s been very gusty, and it’s a lot hotter, so much harder to find the right balance. I think everyone’s struggling.”

Sakhir’s fluctuating desert winds are known to complicate aerodynamic evaluation, particularly during the early development phase of a new regulation cycle.

When asked whether the 2026 machinery is better suited to his driving style than the previous generation, Hamilton avoided making a definitive judgement.

“At the moment, it doesn’t feel anything like the genre before, and it’s really just far too early days,” he explained.

“With the baseline car that we have, we’re still testing different things. We’re trying to find the window that it likes to work in.”

He stressed that optimisation across key performance variables remains incomplete.

“We haven’t optimised the tyres, haven’t optimised the aero package yet, the ride height, the mechanical balance all these different things.”

Hamilton emphasised that the opening morning of testing is not representative of ultimate potential.

“So I’m not going to judge it just now. It didn’t feel great out there today with the wind. It is very, very gusty here the gustiest I can remember it being.”

He added that early-morning sessions traditionally present limited grip and suboptimal conditions for evaluation.

“We’ll just have to take it with a pinch of salt. Plus, it’s the first day here and in the morning, it’s never fun.”

Despite the caveats, Hamilton maintained a broadly positive outlook on the new generation of cars.

“But in general, as I said in the last test, it’s a more fun car to drive.”

With further testing scheduled before the season opener, a clearer assessment of the 2026 package will emerge once teams complete long-run simulations and refine aerodynamic and mechanical setups. For now, Hamilton’s comments highlight the substantial shift in feel and balance brought by the sport’s latest technical evolution.