Lewis Hamilton has openly expressed his excitement about the restart of the 2026 Formula 1 campaign, saying he feels "fired up" as Ferrari works to narrow the distance to championship‑leading Mercedes. After a demanding 2025 season, Ferrari entered the new regulatory era on a relatively positive note before the sport’s mandatory April hiatus, securing a podium with Hamilton in the opening round and two further podiums with Charles Leclerc in the next two events. Now, five weeks later and on the cusp of the Miami Grand Prix, Hamilton reflected on the early part of the season. "Everyone has had a chance to review what happened in the first three races," he told reporters.
"We've all had an intense period of work refining the car, and I’m just thrilled to get another shot at it." His comments underscore the blend of analysis and optimism that the British driver brings to the team. Ferrari currently sit second in the Constructors' Championship, trailing Mercedes, while their drivers occupy third and fourth places behind the Silver Arrows duo of Kimi Antonelli and George Russell.
The Scuderia, along with most of the grid, plans to roll out a substantial aerodynamic and mechanical upgrade when the cars hit the Miami circuit on Friday. In addition, Ferrari hopes to be among the handful of teams granted engine‑development allowances during the first ADUO (Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities) window, a crucial period that could help them recover lost horsepower.
Hamilton believes the power deficit is not limited to Mercedes; he suspects the new Red Bull‑Ford power unit may also be out‑performing Ferrari’s current engine. When asked whether the team could close the gap without an engine upgrade, he answered candidly: "It’s a tall order. I’m incredibly grateful for the hard work the factory crew has put in during the break. Every week I’ve been at the plant seeing the effort that goes into building and refining components.
The quality is outstanding, and I appreciate everyone’s dedication." He went on to explain the magnitude of the challenge: "There’s a clear power gap between us and Mercedes, and probably also against Ford. To bridge that, we’d need to double the development output of other teams each time they bring an upgrade. If a rival introduces one new part, we’d have to bring two; if they bring two, we need three or four. That’s a massive undertaking.
Ultimately, we have to keep pushing until we can close the engine gap." The British driver’s remarks come after a mixed start to the season. He finished fourth in Australia, right behind Leclerc, and then celebrated Ferrari’s long‑awaited podium in China – the team’s first since its 26th attempt. However, the Japanese Grand Prix proved more challenging, with Hamilton slipping to sixth place after a weekend plagued by straight‑line power loss.
Post‑race analysis indicated a deficit of eight to nine tenths of a second on the straights, which Hamilton attributed to a combination of factors rather than a single engine flaw. "We did a deep dive and found it wasn’t just the engine; the whole system was underperforming, costing us those tenths," he explained. "We’ve been working in the simulator and at the factory every week, training intensively, and I feel fresh for the upcoming weekend." Looking ahead, the Miami weekend will feature a full sprint format.
The schedule includes F2 practice on Friday morning, followed by Miami GP practice, qualifying sessions, and a sprint race on Saturday, culminating in the main Grand Prix on Sunday. Sky Sports will broadcast every session, with additional coverage on the NOW streaming platform. Hamilton’s enthusiasm reflects a broader narrative within the paddock: teams are navigating a steep learning curve under the new 2026 regulations, which emphasize hybrid efficiency, aerodynamic simplification, and cost control. Ferrari’s early podiums suggest they have found a workable baseline, yet the gap to Mercedes – and possibly Red Bull’s new Ford‑powered cars – remains significant.
The ADUO window, scheduled later in the season, will allow a limited number of teams to introduce major engine upgrades, a lifeline that Ferrari hopes to secure. In summary, Hamilton’s message is clear: the British champion is energized, appreciative of his team’s relentless work, and realistic about the technical hurdles ahead. As the Miami Grand Prix approaches, the focus will be on whether Ferrari’s upgrades can translate into tangible performance gains and whether the team can secure the coveted engine development slots that could reshape the championship battle.
The upcoming weekend promises high‑octane action, strategic intrigue, and a chance for Hamilton and Ferrari to demonstrate that their fire is more than just words.