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Lewis Hamilton tops poll as driver under greatest pressure ahead of F1’s 2026 reset
As Formula 1 moves closer to one of the most sweeping regulation overhauls in its history, the spotlight on driver performance is intensifying. Against that backdrop, RacingNews365 invited readers to weigh in on a simple but telling question: which driver will face the most pressure when the 2026 season begins?
Following multiple voting rounds and a final showdown, the outcome was emphatic. Lewis Hamilton emerged as the clear choice, with readers overwhelmingly agreeing that no driver will enter the new era under greater scrutiny than the seven-time world champion.
Hamilton’s position at the top of the poll underlines the scale of expectation surrounding his high-profile move to Ferrari. The transfer was widely viewed as a chance for a late-career revival, a final push to add to his already remarkable legacy. However, his debut campaign with the Scuderia did not meet the standards many associate with his name. In a team defined by history, ambition, and relentless external pressure, anything short of visible progress quickly becomes a talking point.
At this stage of his career, Hamilton’s performances are judged through multiple lenses. Questions about form, age, and long-term legacy now accompany every result, meaning the 2026 reset represents more than just another season. With a clean regulatory slate and a radically different technical landscape, expectations are clear: Hamilton must demonstrate that he can still lead a team forward and compete at the very front when the sport effectively restarts.
While Hamilton dominated the voting, the final also featured Franco Colapinto, highlighting a very different type of pressure. The Alpine driver heads into 2026 at a critical moment, where potential alone is no longer enough. Alpine’s Enstone-based operation is undergoing significant structural and technical changes as it prepares for a switch to Mercedes power, placing added emphasis on driver contribution and consistency.
For Colapinto, the upcoming season is about proving permanence. Regular points finishes, steady development, and the ability to anchor himself as part of Alpine’s long-term vision will be vital if he is to move beyond the label of a short-term experiment and become a central figure in the team’s rebuild.
Also attracting notable attention in the poll was Isack Hadjar, whose rapid ascent has earned him one of the most demanding roles in the sport. A seat at Red Bull offers immense opportunity, but it also comes with unforgiving expectations — particularly when paired with Max Verstappen.
History has shown how challenging that environment can be, and Hadjar will be expected to adapt immediately, deliver tangible results, and contribute consistently. Avoiding the struggles that have affected previous team-mates will be crucial as he seeks to establish himself alongside one of the grid’s most dominant figures.
With 2026 poised to reshape Formula 1 on and off the track, the pressure is widespread. But according to fans, it is Hamilton who carries the heaviest burden of expectation as the sport prepares to turn the page.
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