Lewis Hamilton has openly expressed his excitement about the revival of the 2026 Formula 1 calendar, describing himself as "fired up" as Ferrari strives to narrow the distance to championship frontrunners Mercedes. After a demanding 2025 season, Ferrari entered the new regulatory era on a more optimistic note before the sport’s mandatory April hiatus, securing podium finishes in each of the first three rounds – one with Hamilton and two with Charles Leclerc. Now, five weeks later and on the cusp of the Miami Grand Prix weekend, Hamilton reflected on the early part of the campaign.
He told reporters, "Everyone has had a chance to review what happened in the opening three races. We’ve all had an intense period to fine‑tune the car, and I’m just feeling fired up for the second stab at it." His remarks capture both the analytical mindset of a seasoned champion and the raw enthusiasm that fuels his competitive edge. Ferrari currently sit second in the Constructors' Championship, trailing Mercedes, while their driver lineup occupies third and fourth places behind the Silver Arrows duo of Kimi Antonelli and George Russell.
All teams, including the Scuderia, plan to unveil a substantial aerodynamic and mechanical upgrade when the action resumes on the streets of Miami on Friday. In addition, Ferrari are hoping to be among the few outfits granted engine‑development allowances during the season’s first ADUO (Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities) window, a crucial factor that could help them close the power gap. Hamilton believes the power deficit is not limited to Mercedes; he suspects the new Red Bull‑Ford unit may also be out‑performing Ferrari’s current engine. When asked whether the team could bridge the shortfall without an engine upgrade, he admitted, "It’s a tall order.
I’m incredibly grateful for the hard work the factory team has put in during the break. Every week I’ve been back at the base seeing the effort that goes into building and refining components.
The quality is outstanding, and I owe a huge thanks to everyone there." He went on to explain the magnitude of the challenge: "There’s a clear gap in power compared with Mercedes and probably the Ford unit as well. To close that gap we would need to double the development pace of our rivals each time they bring an upgrade.
If they introduce a tenth‑stage improvement, we need to deliver two; if they add two, we must respond with three or four. That’s an enormous workload, and it means we have to keep pushing relentlessly to eventually catch up on the engine side." The British driver’s comments follow a mixed set of results after the season’s start. He finished a strong fourth place, right behind Leclerc, in Australia, and later broke Ferrari’s long‑standing podium drought in China, achieving a podium on his 26th attempt with the team. However, the Japanese Grand Prix proved more challenging, with Hamilton slipping to sixth after a weekend that exposed a noticeable power shortfall on the long straights of Suzuka.
In the days following the race, Hamilton detailed the technical analysis that revealed an eight‑to‑nine‑tenths of a second loss in straight‑line speed. "We dug deep and found it wasn’t just the engine; it was a combination of systems that together ate away at our power on the straights. We’ve been working intensively in the simulator and at the factory every week, training hard, and I feel very fresh for the upcoming weekend," he said.
Looking ahead, the Miami weekend schedule is packed with supporting events. On Friday, May 1, F2 practice begins at 2:35 pm, followed by Miami GP practice at 4:30 pm, F2 qualifying at 7:25 pm, a team bosses’ press conference at 8:10 pm, and sprint qualifying at 8:40 pm.
Saturday features the F2 sprint, the sprint build‑up, the Miami sprint race, and qualifying sessions, while Sunday culminates with the F2 feature race, the Grand Prix build‑up, the main race at 9 pm, and post‑race analysis. All of these sessions will be broadcast on Sky Sports, with the option to stream via NOW without a long‑term contract.
Fans can also stay updated through Sky Sports’ WhatsApp channel for the latest news, videos, and expert analysis. In summary, Hamilton’s enthusiasm is underpinned by a realistic assessment of Ferrari’s current position. The team must accelerate development on both chassis and power unit fronts to challenge Mercedes and Red Bull‑Ford.
With a significant upgrade slated for Miami and the potential for ADUO engine enhancements, the Scuderia hopes to turn the momentum from the early podiums into a sustained challenge for the championship. Hamilton’s confidence, combined with the collective effort of engineers, designers, and drivers, sets the stage for an exciting second half of the season as the sport returns to the vibrant streets of Miami.