BREAKING NEWS: Lewis Hamilton Sets Clear Expectations for Ferrari’s 2026 F1 Car Amid S...read more

Hamilton issues Ferrari demands as Marko orders driver to QUIT series.

Lewis Hamilton has reportedly laid out specific demands to Ferrari regarding the development of their 2026 Formula 1 car, as he aims for a fresh start with the introduction of sweeping new technical regulations. The seven-time world champion, who joined Ferrari at the start of the 2025 season, is looking for a reset after a difficult period that has seen his competitive edge significantly dulled.

The upcoming 2026 regulation overhaul offers teams a chance to re-establish themselves, and Hamilton is keen for Ferrari to take full advantage of the opportunity. However, the Briton has found it challenging to adapt to Ferrari’s current SF-25 car, which has impacted his performance on track. Since the beginning of 2022 — when the last set of major technical changes were introduced — Hamilton has managed just two race wins, and none since switching teams.

Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari has been particularly difficult. He currently sits sixth in the drivers’ standings, trailing his teammate Charles Leclerc by 42 points and, notably, has not managed to step onto the podium once this season. For a driver of his calibre, the decline has been both stark and surprising.

Italian sports outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport recently shed light on one of the key technical factors contributing to Hamilton’s issues with the SF-25. The report suggests that Ferrari’s power unit has a more aggressive engine braking system compared to what Hamilton was accustomed to during his long tenure with Mercedes power units, which he used from the start of his F1 career with McLaren in 2007.

This sharper braking intervention may be undermining Hamilton’s confidence and precision during corner entries — a crucial element of lap time and driver comfort. In response, Hamilton is said to have requested detailed insights from Ferrari’s engineering team about their plans for the 2026 power unit. His aim is to help guide the design of the next-generation car to better suit his driving style and eliminate the discomfort he currently experiences under braking.

Hamilton’s contract with Ferrari runs until the end of the 2026 season, suggesting that he intends to at least sample the new generation of cars before making a final decision on his future in the sport. However, recent comments have raised eyebrows and sparked speculation about his mindset.

After a disappointing weekend at the Hungarian Grand Prix, Hamilton made a series of cryptic remarks. Referring to himself as “useless” in the media pen and even suggesting the team might consider replacing him due to his form, he seemed unusually downbeat. His frustrations deepened after qualifying 12th, when he said: “When you have a feeling, you have a feeling — and there’s a lot going on in the background that’s not great.”

These candid comments prompted pundits and fans alike to question whether Hamilton’s motivation remains intact. Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher went as far as to publicly urge Hamilton to consider retiring from the sport if his passion has waned.

Still, Hamilton remains hopeful that the 2026 reset will allow him to rediscover the kind of form that once made him nearly untouchable. Between 2014 and 2020, he won six world championships in seven seasons and came within a lap of securing a record-breaking eighth title in 2021.

As Formula 1 prepares for yet another era of innovation, all eyes will be on how Ferrari responds to their superstar driver’s input — and whether the partnership can evolve into a title-winning force before Hamilton calls time on his illustrious career.