On the eve of the 2026 season, Lewis Hamilton is no longer hiding his intentions. Now a Scuderia Ferrari driver, the Briton arrives at the Australian Grand Prix with a clear objective: to fight for the world title.
A profound self-examination for Lewis Hamilton
Present in the paddock of Albert Park Circuit, Hamilton displayed a very different mindset from the one that accompanied him during a complicated 2025 season.
The seven-time world champion admits to having gone through a difficult period last year. But rather than succumbing to self-doubt, Hamilton He explains that he used the off-season to rebuild himself mentally and physically.
"I had lost sight of who I was. But that person is gone, you will never see them again."
The Briton claims to have intensified his preparation from the end of the previous season, with the aim of coming back stronger in 2026.
Ferrari is clearly aiming for the title…
At Ferrari, The ambition is acknowledged. Hamilton He doesn't beat around the bush when discussing the team's objectives.
"The goal is to win. That's why the whole team is working."
Despite this determination, the British driver remains cautious about the true level of competition after winter testing.
Rivals already in their sights…
According to HamiltonThe hierarchy remains difficult to read before the first race. But two teams already seem particularly threatening.
He cites in particular Mercedes Benzwhich he considers very competitive, while also noting that Red Bull Racing has perhaps not yet shown its full potential.
"Mercedes seems particularly fast, and I'm not sure we've seen Red Bull push the car to its limit."
This remark suggests an extremely competitive season ahead.
Experience versus the new generation…
In 2026, Hamilton He enters a new dimension of his career. The Briton will become the first driver in history to compete in twenty consecutive Formula 1 seasons.
However, faced with the new generation of pilots, he claims to still feel just as motivated.
Seated at the press conference alongside the young man Arvid Lindblad, aged only 18, Hamilton responded humorously to questions about the age gap.
"I feel very fresh. When Arvid says he's 18, I feel like I'm 18 too. It's all in the mind."
A season full of unknowns…
With the arrival of the new 2026 single-seaters, the benchmarks could be turned upside down. In this context, Hamilton plans to draw on its two decades of experience to get the most out of its Ferrari.
But one thing is already certain: despite the passing years, the Briton's hunger for victory remains intact.
