Lewis Hamilton has described his 2026 Formula 1 season with Ferrari as ‘slightly above average’ at the halfway point. The seven-time world champion currently holds second position in the Drivers’ standings. He trails Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli by a significant 50 points.
This assessment follows a challenging 2025 campaign for Ferrari, which saw the team finish fourth in the Constructors’ Championship without securing a single race victory. The current season marks a notable upturn in performance for the Scuderia.
Hamilton secured his first victory as a Ferrari driver in Barcelona earlier this season. He has also achieved four additional podium finishes. His consistent performance has ensured no race finishes outside the top six.
This consistency places him ahead of his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc and Mercedes’ George Russell in the championship. Both Leclerc and Russell have each recorded one Grand Prix win during the current season.
Championship leader Antonelli has accumulated six victories so far in 2026. However, the Mercedes driver experienced a reliability issue in Barcelona. He also dropped out of the points at Silverstone due to a late race penalty.
Speaking in Budapest, Hamilton maintained a focused approach regarding the remainder of the season. He stated his current priority is maximising each individual race weekend.
‘I’m not thinking about the second part [of the season],’ Hamilton said. ‘I’m thinking about just this weekend, one race at a time. I’m just trying to figure out how I can maximise each weekend. I’m genuinely not thinking about [future] races from here.’
Hamilton highlighted the team’s consistent points scoring as a positive aspect of the season. He noted that Mercedes’ advantage at high-speed circuits like Spa and Silverstone was less pronounced than anticipated.
The Ferrari SF-26 was not expected to excel on such high-speed layouts, given its design focus on improved aerodynamic efficiency and tyre management under the new 2026 power unit regulations. These regulations mandate a 50% electrical power split.
The Mercedes W17, by contrast, has demonstrated strong straight-line speed, a characteristic often favoured by the new active aerodynamic elements introduced for 2026. These elements include active front and rear wings.
Hamilton observed that Antonelli’s pace at these tracks was not ‘ballistic,’ and Ferrari found themselves closer to the frontrunners than expected. This indicates progress for the SF-26.
Leclerc’s victory at Silverstone and second-place finish in Belgium further underscore Ferrari’s improved performance on circuits previously considered less favourable. This suggests the team is moving in a positive direction.
