Lewis Hamilton has received strong support from Formula 1 fans in his pursuit of a historic eighth world championship, with a recent poll suggesting that belief in the Briton remains high despite a challenging start to the season.
According to a RacingNews365 survey, more than half of respondents—52.8%—are confident that Hamilton can secure another title this year. Many fans pointed to the competitiveness of Ferrari’s SF-26 as a key factor, believing the car has the pace required to take the fight to the current frontrunners. Meanwhile, 32.8% of those polled expect the seven-time champion to claim race victories but ultimately fall short in the title battle. Only a small minority, 14.4%, dismissed his chances entirely, largely due to the early-season dominance shown by Mercedes.
After the opening two rounds of the campaign, Hamilton finds himself fourth in the drivers’ standings with 33 points. He currently trails George Russell by 18 points, with the Mercedes driver enjoying a perfect start to the season. The Silver Arrows have been the benchmark so far, winning both Grands Prix as well as the sprint race, underlining their early superiority.
However, the gap between Mercedes and Ferrari is not insurmountable. Performance differences have fluctuated between five and seven tenths of a second depending on the track layout, suggesting that Ferrari is not too far off the pace. This has fueled optimism among fans and within the Italian team that a turnaround is possible as the season progresses.
Hamilton himself has struck a cautiously optimistic tone when discussing his title ambitions. Following the Australian Grand Prix, he highlighted the positives in Ferrari’s performance but acknowledged that significant improvements are needed to match Mercedes consistently. He emphasized that while the challenge is steep, it is far from impossible, expressing confidence that the team can gradually close the gap.
One of the main issues identified by Hamilton is Ferrari’s power unit. Despite the SF-26 showing strong cornering ability, it has struggled on the straights. This weakness was particularly evident at the Chinese Grand Prix, where Hamilton managed to secure his first podium with Ferrari but noted the car was losing considerable time in high-speed sections. While he praised the overall feel and balance of the car, he admitted that a lack of straight-line speed remains a critical limitation.
Team principal Frédéric Vasseur has been encouraged by Hamilton’s growing integration within the team. He believes the British driver is becoming increasingly influential in Ferrari’s development direction, playing a key role in the improvements seen so far. Vasseur has also indicated that further progress will be necessary in areas such as downforce, efficiency, and engine performance if Ferrari is to mount a serious title challenge.
Hamilton’s task is further complicated by strong competition not only from Russell but also from his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc, who currently sits just ahead of him in the standings. This internal and external competition adds another layer of difficulty to his championship bid.
Despite these challenges, Hamilton remains firmly committed to Ferrari’s long-term project. He has repeatedly expressed belief in the team’s capabilities and the work being done at Maranello, insisting that overcoming the current deficit is achievable with continued effort and development.
As the season unfolds, the question of whether Hamilton can claim a record-breaking eighth title remains open. While Mercedes has set the early pace, Ferrari’s proximity and ongoing improvements mean the championship battle could still take an unpredictable turn. For now, fan confidence in Hamilton remains strong, setting the stage for what could become one of the most compelling title fights in recent Formula 1 history.