Lewis Hamilton Urges Bold Ferrari Move to Outspeed F1 Rivals

Lewis Hamilton is urging Ferrari to shift their attention toward the all-new 2026 Formula 1 regulations if they want to catch rivals at the front of the field.

Major changes are on the horizon for the championship, with new car rules coming in next year.

These updates include active aerodynamics, a narrower wheelbase, and a total overhaul of the power units. Teams are now at a crossroads — whether to keep developing their 2025 challengers or to start working on cars for the upcoming rule set.

Several teams have made decisions already. Williams and Aston Martin are focusing completely on 2026, aiming to gain an early advantage when the new regulations take effect.

Ferrari, with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc driving this season, find themselves split. They want to stay competitive in the current campaign but risk falling behind if the next car doesn’t measure up for the new era. Leclerc denies Ferrari hype, showing the pressure the team faces (source).

Nine rounds into the season, Ferrari sits second in the constructors’ standings with 165 points. However, McLaren is appearing dominant, leading the table and maintaining a 197-point gap over the Scuderia.

Hamilton’s recent performance with McLaren at Monaco highlights their strong form (source).

McLaren looks set to extend their championship run, leaving Ferrari searching for ways to regain their competitiveness.

Hamilton commented after the Barcelona race that it might soon be time for Ferrari to put full effort into developing for 2026, rather than continuing to update the current car.

Hamilton explained that the team has not brought many recent upgrades and acknowledged the challenge of balancing progress now versus preparation for the future. He mentioned that the focus is on learning as much as possible this year, perfecting systems, building strong foundations, and improving processes.

Hamilton wants to arrive next year with a car that is truly ready to fight for the new championship. He also pointed out that, although he is working on Ferrari’s plans for 2026, he is not certain how much of the team’s effort is pointed at next season’s design.

The coming years are set to bring an “open” championship with so many variables changing at once, meaning that quick decisions now may define who leads or lags behind. Hamilton added that, while the current title is difficult to win and McLaren’s lead is strong, it is not fully decided just yet.

As Formula 1 prepares for a revolution in technical rules, the decisions teams make in the next few months will be critical. Ferrari faces a key moment, as choosing when to shift focus could decide their fortunes under a fresh set of regulations.

Hamilton is clear that only strong preparation and early commitment will give the team a real shot at putting pressure on McLaren and others when the 2026 season begins.