The two-time Formula 1 World Champion, Emerson Fittipaldi, urged that there’s an aspect of Lewis Hamilton’s climb back to the top that people are overlooking.
When Hamilton was announced as a Ferrari driver, it was shrouded in mystery and anticipation. Fans expected that the seven-time World Champion may collect his coveted eighth while restoring Ferrari to their former glory.
However, the reality was far from it. His first season in red was marred by misfortune and a struggle to get up to speed.
Many wondered if Hamilton would remain in the sport after a season which saw him dejected and question his own ability from weekend to weekend.
2026 offered a new start for Hamilton. With a regualtion overhaul and new machinery beneath him, the Briton finally seemed to find his rhythm with the team.
He currently sits second in the Drivers’ Championship, with 169 points to Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s 219. He took his first victory for the Prancing Horses in Barcelona and has five podiums as well.
A difficult journey
Though many have praised the Briton for his change and turnaround, former F1 champion Emerson Fittipaldi pointed out an aspect that he believed people kept forgetting.
“One thing hardly anyone talks about much is the new car,” Fittipaldi told F1.com.
“It’s smaller, and you have to make do with less downforce, and in my view that makes the job behind the wheel more difficult; it’s become harder to be fast.
“That’s why I think it brings out the talent more. And I think that’s one of the reasons Lewis has been able to improve.”
Hamilton struggled immensely in the hyper-focused downforce era that 2022-2025 represented. With the shift in the way the cars now run, with a lessened focus on that downforce, Hamilton naturally has found himself more at home in the SF-26.
That, coupled with the familiarity with the team Hamilton will have in his second year, is largely behind his improvement, Fitipaldi believes.
“He has a good feel for the car, and he’s in control of it because he’s an extremely talented driver.
“What’s more, this is his second year with Ferrari; he knows the engineers, and he’s now familiar with the system too.”
Fittipaldi was no stranger to the criticism that Hamilton has seen. The Brazilian driver spent 11 seasons in F1 and then moved over to IndyCar when, over a decade after his F1 titles, he won the IndyCar title.
He spoke about how he was happy to see Hamilton succeed. He said: “I was very happy when I saw just how fast Lewis and Ferrari are.
“I can still remember last year very well. The same thing happened to me in the IndyCar Series and in Formula 1.
“As you get older, people say you can’t drive anymore, and last year Lewis came in for criticism from all sides.
“But now he’s fast again, and I think that’s good for the sport and the fans. It’s fantastic to see Ferrari and Lewis winning again.”
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