Formula 1 Champion Lewis Hamilton Expresses Strong Discontent with Current F1 Cars, Raises Concerns Over 2026 Regulations

Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has delivered a stark assessment of the sport’s current generation of ground-effect cars, ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which marks the final race before a substantial overhaul of technical regulations for the 2026 season. Hamilton, who is preparing for a landmark transition to Scuderia Ferrari in 2025, articulated profound dissatisfaction with the cars he has competed with over the past four years, a period that has seen Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team struggle to maintain its previous dominance.

Speaking to the media prior to the Abu Dhabi event, Hamilton, a driver with 103 Grand Prix victories to his name, made it unequivocally clear that his experience with the cars introduced under the 2022 regulations has been far from enjoyable. "There’s not a single thing I’ll miss about these cars," Hamilton stated. "It is as simple as that. I have not enjoyed it." This candid declaration underscores the profound challenges faced by Mercedes and by extension, Hamilton, since the sport entered its current technical era.

The 2022 regulations marked a significant shift towards ground-effect aerodynamics, designed with the primary objective of promoting closer racing by reducing the disruptive "dirty air" effect experienced by cars following another closely. While these regulations have, at times, led to tighter on-track battles, they also introduced new complexities, notably the phenomenon of ‘porpoising’ in the initial phase, where cars bounced violently at high speeds. Mercedes, in particular, struggled to adapt its W13 and subsequent W14 and W15 chassis designs to these new rules, failing to produce a consistently competitive car capable of challenging for championship honours against the dominant Red Bull Racing outfit. Hamilton himself has not secured a Grand Prix victory since the 2021 season, a stark contrast to his previous record-breaking success.

When invited to compare the current ground-effect machines with previous iterations of Formula 1 cars, Hamilton highlighted eras he found more rewarding from a driving perspective. "2017 was cool because it was a bigger, wider car. It just looked beefier and had more downforce. It was mega," he recalled. The 2017 regulations, which saw cars become wider, longer, and heavier with significantly increased downforce, were largely praised by drivers for their increased physical demands and higher cornering speeds, making them some of the fastest F1 cars in history. In sharp contrast, Hamilton assessed the current generation as "probably the worst one, I would say. And I’m praying that the next one is not worse than that."

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The forthcoming 2026 regulations represent one of the most comprehensive overhauls in Formula 1’s modern history. The technical package will introduce significantly reduced downforce levels, a vastly different powertrain architecture, and active aerodynamics. The sport’s governing body, the FIA, and commercial rights holder, Formula 1, have outlined several key objectives for these changes:

1. Sustainability: A greater reliance on electrical power (a 50/50 split between internal combustion and electric energy) and the use of 100% sustainable fuels.
2. Lighter, Smaller Cars: A reduction in overall car size and weight, aiming for more agile and dynamic machines. The current generation has grown considerably in recent years, making them less nimble on certain circuits.
3. Active Aerodynamics: The introduction of active front and rear wings, allowing drivers to switch between different aerodynamic modes (e.g., a standard ‘Z-mode’ for cornering and a low-drag ‘X-mode’ for straights) to aid overtaking and improve efficiency. An ‘override mode’ for following cars, akin to a super-DRS, is also planned.
4. Cost Control and New Entrants: Simpler engine regulations are intended to attract new power unit manufacturers, with Audi confirmed to join in 2026, alongside existing manufacturers like Mercedes, Ferrari, Honda, Renault (Alpine), and Red Bull Powertrains.

Hamilton has already commenced simulator work with his future team, Ferrari, gaining initial insights into the characteristics of the 2026 cars. While he refrained from direct criticism of the changes, his comments reflected a degree of hesitancy and uncertainty regarding how these new machines will be received by the wider fanbase. "I think it’s really, really hard to predict what it’s going to be like," he remarked. "I don’t want to say too many negative things. It feels so much different and I’m not sure you’re going to like it."

Despite his initial reservations, the British driver also expressed hope for positive outcomes from the new regulations. "But maybe I’ll be surprised and maybe it’ll be amazing. Maybe overtaking will be incredible. Maybe it’ll be easier to overtake. I don’t know." This mixed sentiment highlights the speculative nature of such significant regulatory shifts, where theoretical advantages do not always translate perfectly to real-world racing dynamics. The reduction in downforce, combined with increased torque from the new hybrid power units, presents a complex driving challenge. Hamilton specifically pointed to the difficulties anticipated in adverse weather conditions. "We have less downforce, more torque. Driving in the rain, I can imagine it’s going to be very, very, very tough. Much harder than it is already with what we have today."

Furthermore, the new power unit regulations are expected to introduce a more visible and interactive element of energy and hybrid deployment management for drivers during races. This could fundamentally alter race strategy and on-track battles. "Whether you’ll like the fact that we’re downshifting on the straight and different boost parameters," Hamilton mused, hinting at a potentially more complex, yet perhaps more engaging, driving experience.

For Hamilton, who will be 41 by the time the 2026 season commences, the regulatory reset presents a pivotal opportunity for a "fresh start" with a new team. His move to Ferrari, announced for 2025, positions him at the heart of Maranello’s development efforts for these new cars. His unparalleled experience and technical feedback will be crucial for the Scuderia as they navigate this transformative period. Hamilton views the impending changes as an inherent part of the sport’s ethos. "But it is a massive challenge for us all and I think that’s really what the sport is about. It’s about continuously challenging ourselves. If we just did the same thing all the time, it would be easy."

The transition to Ferrari itself is a monumental chapter in Hamilton’s career, following an era of unprecedented success with Mercedes that yielded six of his seven world titles. The desire to secure an unprecedented eighth world championship, combined with the allure of joining Formula 1’s most iconic team, underscores his motivation to embrace new challenges. The 2026 regulations, therefore, are not merely a technical adjustment but a potential catalyst for a new competitive landscape, offering Hamilton a fresh battleground to pursue his ambitions. The ultimate success of these regulations, both in terms of driver enjoyment and fan spectacle, remains to be seen, but Hamilton’s early insights provide a glimpse into the significant changes awaiting Formula 1.

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Jonas Leo

Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.

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