Lewis Hamilton has delivered some sharp verdicts on some of the modern aspects of Formula 1, as the sport looks ahead to seismic changes in 2026.
While the Brit holds the mantle of one, if not the most successful racing driver in the history of F1, that success has been focused on the opening stages of the hybrid era.
However, since the regulations changed for the 2022 season, it’s been a struggle for Hamilton.
2022 saw Mercedes choose the wrong avenue in terms of development, leaving the German marque on the back foot in comparison to many other teams on the grid.
And with that began Hamilton’s longest winless streak in the sport.
Though Hamlton managed to clinch two wins last year, Mercedes’ performance was a far cry from the 2021 season and before.
For 2025, he made the surprising move to Ferrari, signing a contract which secured his place with the ‘prancing horse’ through the new regulations being introduced for 2026.
Hamilton admitted that this season has been more about adjustment for him than finding pure results, wanting to take everything he learns this year into the clean slate of 2026.
“I don’t personally feel like these last races really have much bearing on next year,” he said ahead of this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
“Of course, that’s the goal, it’s to see progress and continue to work. The more I experience with the team.
“The more I grow with the team, and this experience will [help] moving forward. The lessons that we’re faced with will definitely help.”
When asked if he was happy to say goodbye to this set of car regulations, Hamilton gave a simple and astute: “Yes.”
Hamilton: Cost cap has made F1 ‘different’
For the Brit, it wasn’t necessarily the reliability or any specific car-related issue that saw him so happy to say goodbye to the 2022-2025 cars.
Instead he focused his critique on the way the budget cap has changed teams’ development.
“It feels quite a bit different because of the budget cap.”
“I remember in 2008 [before regulation changes in 2009], we were still able to bring upgrades in that year, we were still fighting, we were still developing the car right to the end, [and] they were allowed to do those two in tandem.”
Due to the budget cap and the way teams have to approach development, Hamilton acknowledged that Ferrari is “stuck with what we have.”
Teams are forced to move on from the 2025 cars and put their resources into the new regulations. Hamilton criticised that aspect of the sport, claiming, “it makes this season less exciting.”
Ahead of Baku, Hamilton was asked about his passion for not just motorsport, but cars in general, and made a surprising revelation regarding his own collection.
“I don’t have any cars anymore. I got rid of all my cars. I’m more into art nowadays,” he said.
Hamilton’s concern for the environment and the climate impact of F1, alongside owning multiple personal cars has been made clear through his shift to art.
However, he divulged his preference. “If I was going to get a car. It’d be an F40,” he said, referring to the legendary late 1980s stripped-back road car.
Hamilton’s focus was on the weekend ahead, beginning to find a level of stability and confidence in the SF-25 that he’s previously seemed to lack.
He noted that Baku features one of his least favourite parts of any track. In Turn 8, the narrow corner makes it difficult to approach.
“I mean, it is a challenge. It’s probably one of my least favourite corners,” said Hamilton, “It’s not particularly exciting.
“It’s very narrow, and obviously it’s a train through there. You can only follow, you can’t overtake. So, it’s pretty cool seeing the castle. But that’s kind of it.”
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