Hamilton Confident Ferrari Closing Gap to Mercedes in 2026 F1 Season

Lewis Hamilton remains optimistic about Ferrari’s progress in the 2026 Formula 1 season, despite Mercedes’ strong performance at the Australian Grand Prix. Even as acknowledging Mercedes’ current advantage, Hamilton believes Ferrari is “right in the fight” and capable of challenging for podium finishes.

Ferrari’s Performance in Australia

The Australian Grand Prix saw Mercedes secure a one-two finish, with George Russell taking the win. Hamilton finished fourth, closely behind teammate Charles Leclerc. Ferrari demonstrated early pace, with Leclerc and Hamilton briefly leading the race after strong starts. However, a strategic decision not to pit during a virtual safety car period potentially hampered their chances of a higher finish. ESPN reports Hamilton believes a different strategy call could have yielded better results.

Power Unit Deficit

Hamilton identified the power unit as a key area for improvement. He noted a significant performance deficit on the straights compared to Mercedes, estimating a six-tenths of a second gap in qualifying. “We have a lot of work to do. We have to push highly hard in Maranello to improve the power [of the PU],” Hamilton stated. He acknowledged that Ferrari was aware of this deficit heading into the season, recognizing Mercedes had a head start in power unit development. Formula1.com highlights this ongoing effort to close the gap.

Rotating Rear Wing Decision

Ferrari tested a rotating rear wing during FP1 at the Chinese Grand Prix, aiming to deploy it during the race weekend. However, the team ultimately decided to revert to the original design. Hamilton explained that the introduction of the updated wing was accelerated, brought forward from a planned implementation in the fourth or fifth race of the season. He indicated the decision was made after only two sessions, deeming it “a little premature.” PlanetF1 details this decision and the rapid development process.

Looking Ahead to the Chinese Grand Prix

Despite the challenges, Hamilton remains positive about Ferrari’s potential. He emphasized the car’s strong cornering performance and believes the team can compete with Mercedes in those areas. Leclerc also expressed optimism, hoping Ferrari can put Mercedes “under a bit more pressure” as the season progresses, particularly with the Sprint format at the Chinese Grand Prix requiring rapid optimization. Formula1.com reports that Ferrari has undertaken significant work to prepare for the demands of a Sprint weekend.

Key Takeaways

• Mercedes currently holds a performance advantage, particularly in power unit output.
• Ferrari is actively working to close the gap, focusing on power unit development.
• Strategic decisions, such as the virtual safety car pit stop, are under review.
• The rotating rear wing was tested but not deployed in China due to premature development.
• Both Hamilton and Leclerc remain optimistic about Ferrari’s potential to challenge Mercedes.