Lewis Hamilton has never been one to stay silent on the evolution of Formula 1, and now, with sweeping changes looming in 2026, the seven-time world champion has made his views crystal clear: he is not convinced the sport is on the right path.
Speaking during the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix weekend at Imola, the Ferrari driver offered his concerns about F1’s regulation overhaul, which are expected to deliver slightly smaller and lighter cars but with increased electrical power and active aerodynamics aimed at enhancing wheel-to-wheel racing.
But for Hamilton, these changes raise more red flags than optimism.
“I don’t think it’s going in the right direction, personally,” he said in an interview with Sky Italia last weekend.
While F1’s governing body is pushing for a more sustainable and technically advanced sport, Hamilton questioned whether these efforts will truly enhance the racing product or the fan experience.
“Maybe I’ll be surprised next year. Maybe we arrive and the cars are really nice,” he offered, tempering his criticism with a sliver of hope.
Still, he didn’t hold back on his main point: speed and spectacle are under threat.
“With the direction we’re going, we’re going slower. The cars are getting heavier,” he emphasized. “I mean, next year, I guess they are getting lighter, but this generation of car is the heaviest car that I’ve raced.”
Hamilton also mourned what has been lost in the pursuit of hybrid-era progress — the visceral thrill of sound and sensation that defined F1’s past.
“For me, I miss the sound. When you hear a V12 Ferrari, it’s like, it’s the passion,” he said.
“As soon as we started with V6s – whilst it’s a good direction to go for the world in terms of sustainability, I think it’s been positive in that respect – you can’t get away with the fact that the sound is not the same as it was when you watch Michael Schumacher’s car from 2003 come past, and it’s like, ‘ah!’”
Hamilton’s frustrations with the sport’s direction come as he continues to navigate a transitional and demanding season following his move to Ferrari – arguably the most iconic and scrutinized team in the paddock.
“This year, it’s been the busiest first half of the season I’ve ever had,” the 40-year-old admitted.
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His on-track performances haven’t yet delivered the fairy-tale success many fans had hoped for, and the expectations at Maranello are intense.
“The pressure, for sure, has been the highest, and the expectation for myself from everyone wanting so much.”
It’s a familiar feeling, Hamilton noted, drawing parallels to his early days at Mercedes — a partnership that eventually yielded unprecedented success.
“My first year at Mercedes, the first six months were difficult, too,” he said. “It just wasn’t as big a hype as here, because this is Ferrari.”
Despite the current struggles, Hamilton remains engaged in trying to steer Ferrari in the right direction – though not every adjustment has panned out.
“The direction that I pushed the car and the setup worked well in China, and then we have to pull back on some things, and we’ve not been able to get there since.”
With the 2026 regulation overhaul approaching rapidly, Hamilton’s comments offer a pointed reminder that while sustainability and innovation are vital, the soul of Formula 1 – its speed, sound, and raw emotion – must not be sacrificed in the process.
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