Lewis Hamilton had one of his toughest seasons in 2025 after moving to Ferrari, failing to reach the podium for the first time in his long Formula 1 career.
Now heading into the 2026 season with major rule changes and a fresh start for the sport, many are wondering whether Hamilton can rebound and become a genuine title contender again.
His difficult first year in red was marked by handling issues with the Ferrari SF-25 car, making his early success in China a rare highlight rather than a sign of consistent performance.
With the ground-effect era over and a new technical formula in place for 2026, Hamilton hopes the reset will better suit his driving style and give Ferrari a more competitive package.
The article rates and discusses how Hamilton stacks up against other potential championship rivals as F1 teams prepare for the season opener, assessing his chances alongside key competitors under the new regulations.