Photo: RacePictures.

Hamilton issues veiled F1 2026 warning to rivals after pivotal surge

20:45, 02 Nov

byNorberto Mujica

Lewis Hamilton sees his first season for Ferrari as a "foundation building" year, suggesting his and the Scuderia's sights are set on 2026 success.

"I've been feeling much better in the car and I feel like each weekend it's getting better."

- Lewis Hamilton.

Hamilton's first season in red has often put him and the team in the crosshairs of pundits and fans alike, as the pairing has failed to yield the results the high-profile collaboration was expected to provide.

However, it is undeniable that as of the Dutch Grand Prix the seven-time world champion has come to grips with the 2025 Ferrari car, boasting a surge in performance that has seen the gap between him and teammate Charles Leclerc evaporate, which Hamilton himself has observed as well.

Photo: Race Pictures

"So in terms of the season, I think we're seeing a lot of progress, particularly on my side since the summer break," said Hamilton regarding the pace he's been able to achieve in the last 6 Grands Prix.

"I think there's been some small tweaks I have had to my approach and to the work that I'm doing with the guys that have been making progress."

These "tweaks" have helped him feel more comfortable in the SF-25, which has led up to his best qualifying result of the year, a P3 at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

Photo: Race Pictures

"I've been feeling much better in the car and I feel like each weekend it's getting better. It's taken a long time to get to this point but progress takes time.

"I do see this year really as just foundation building. Every track that I go to is the first time I'm with Ferrari, with this car, with this characteristic of car and driving style, that I have to use compared to what I experienced in the previous years."

Rumours of Hamilton being left without a drive for 2027 surface

According to ESPN, sources have told the news outlet that Hamilton's contract will not be extended after 2026.

However, with the recent U-turn Hamilton has experienced, it would seem unlikely that should be the case, particularly if the Scuderia hit the ground running next year.

Then the seven-time world champion's chances of clinching his 8th world title, and thus securing a seat for 2027, seem to be wide open still.

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