Lewis Hamilton - Photo: Race Pictures

Hamilton admits he is 'glad to see the back' of the current regulations

09:38, 19 Sep

byOlly Darcy

Lewis Hamilton has admitted that he is glad to see the back of the current Formula 1 regulations as simulator practice for the 2026 regulations ramps up.

There is work to do to improve next year's car

- Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton has yet to find himself on the podium in a Grand Prix in 2025 | Photo: Race Pictures

After making the seismic move to Ferrari from Mercedes, the seven-time world champion has only stepped on the podium twice this season, thanks to a sprint race victory at the Chinese Grand Prix and a P3 in the Miami Grand Prix sprint race.

With no Grand Prix podiums to his name so far in 2025, there will be plenty of focus going into 2026 and the brand-new regulations, with Hamilton already getting a feel for what he will be driving next season

"Yeah, I have driven it," Hamilton said when asked if the Brit had gotten behind the wheel of the 2026 car via the simulator.

"There is not really too much to say at the moment. It's all hypothetical. We don’t know where we are going to be.

"Just going from the simulator to reality is always different. But there is always work to do to improve the car going into next year.

"I don't personally feel like these last races really have much bearing on next year. Of course, that's the goal: to see progress and continue to work.

"The more I experience with the team, the more I grow with the team and the more I experience, all this will be able to reinforce the things that we want. The lessons that we faced will definitely help."

Hamilton was then asked if he would be glad to see the back of this generation of cars when the regulations change for the 2026 season.

"Yes," the 40-year-old quickly stated before the questions could even be finished.

Struggles for Hamilton regarding regulations

After just missing out on the record-breaking eighth world title in 2021, the regulation change that came into effect for the 2022 season derailed Mercedes and their domination, with Hamilton not securing a race win or a pole position for the first time in his career.

2023 saw the same struggles, with the seven-time champion unable to find the top step of the podium once again due to Red Bull's dominance, despite finishing best of the rest in P3.

2024 saw Hamilton return as a race winner with a tunning performance at the British Grand Prix, but the struggles in his final year at Mercedes before moving to Ferrari.

Hamilton's debut year in scarlet red has had its fair share of struggles, too, with no podium finish in any Grand Prix so far this season. With no major updates coming for the rest of the season, a podiumless season could be in the offing for the 40-year-old.

Catch the latest episode of F1 Paddock Updates!