With the new regulation changes for 2026, Lewis Hamilton shared some insights into the simulator work that goes into Ferrari’s preparation for the next season. While the current season is not over yet, most teams switched their focus to the 2026 developments.
The Scuderia experienced plenty of ups and downs in 2025. Currently, it holds third place in the Constructors’ Championship, behind Mercedes by only 4 points. As Red Bull Racing also rejoined the battle, Ferrari will have a tight fight in the last rounds of the season.
First thoughts on the new car
As technology keeps advancing, so do simulators in Formula 1. Nowadays, teams can get a pretty accurate idea of how a car might perform on a circuit without even touching the track. During a print media session ahead of the F1 Azerbaijan GP, Lewis Hamilton shared his first impression after trying Ferrari’s 2026 regulations car in the simulator:
“Yeah, I have driven it. Not really much to say at the moment. It’s all hypothetical. We don’t know where we’re going to be in terms of group, and I can tell you next year whether it’s good or not,” confessed the British driver, quite unsure of the car’s potential.
Going from one set of regulations to another comes with a big adjustment period. Having to switch between learning a completely different car to returning to your current one can be difficult. However, Hamilton has a lot of experience with changing regulations, making his simulator work with Ferrari’s 2026 F1 car easier:
“Yeah, it does. I mean, just going from the simulator to reality is quite a leap because there’s always work to do to improve the simulator,” Hamilton explained, highlighting the work that still needs to go into perfecting the simulators. “But yeah, going from the 2026 car and then jumping back in… That’s what we do, so it’s ok.”
Different experience this time around
Having driven in F1 since 2007, the British driver has been there to witness multiple regulation changes through the years. Therefore, Lewis Hamilton’s experience with balancing simulator work for the 2026 F1 regulations with driving the current car, this time Ferrari’s, is crucial.
Nonetheless, the Brit decided to point out the biggest difference from his point of view — the budget cap. First introduced in 2021, all 10 teams on the grid were limited from spending more than a certain sum on their developments.
“It feels quite a bit different because of the budget cap. So it’s… I remember in 2008, we were still able to bring upgrades in that year, we were still fighting, we were still developing the car right to the end. And obviously, the next year’s car was a disaster, but they were able to do those two in tandem.
“And then in 2013, again, I was switching, so it’s difficult to say so much in that section.”
However, according to Hamilton, this year’s preparations put a disappointing damper on the development and upgrades of the SF-25. Looking ahead to 2026, the Scuderia Ferrari driver is hopeful for a change, considering the rushed approach to this year:
“But I would say this time it’s not as exciting because we moved over so early. And so you’re then just stuck with what you have for the year. So it makes this season less exciting because you’re not getting developments. So we’re just going to see how the rest of the year with what you have. But then next year will be an exciting one because there’ll be lots of upgrades throughout.”
