Excuses are running thin. Ferrari have provided the seven-time champion with a significantly improved car for the 2026 Miami Grand Prix. The question now is whether he can capitalize on it and mount a serious title challenge.
After a difficult 2025 season, where he finished 86 points behind teammate Charles Leclerc and failed to secure a single podium, Hamilton has started 2026 in stronger form. He has already broken his Ferrari podium drought and has been far more competitive against Leclerc.
Ferrari’s new SF-26 car is clearly more competitive than last year’s version, though it still lags behind Mercedes in outright pace. However, that gap could shrink as the season resumes at the Miami International Autodrome following a five-week break, with Ferrari introducing major upgrades aimed at closing the deficit.
The big question is whether Hamilton can turn these improvements into race wins and ultimately fight for a historic eighth championship.
Ferrari have introduced 11 upgrades for Miami, according to FIA filings. Changes include adjustments to the front wing and front corner for better airflow stability, as well as front suspension tweaks to improve load and downstream performance. Significant work has also been done on the floor including the floor body, edges, and diffuser to increase aerodynamic load across a wider operating range.
Further modifications to the rear suspension aim to enhance airflow efficiency, while a redesigned “macarena” rear wing featuring a flexible, drag-maximizing concept in active aero mode has been introduced. This required additional refinements to the rear wing’s structure and endplates to improve airflow management.
With these developments, both Hamilton and Leclerc now have a more capable car—but expectations are rising fast.
Hamilton needs to consistently match or beat Leclerc this season, especially with his contract set to expire at the end of the year. Ferrari may consider younger, more cost-effective options, such as Oliver Bearman, if results don’t improve.
If the SF-26 is now competitive enough to win races, Hamilton must start delivering victories. His recent struggles—being outperformed by teammates in three of the past four seasons—have been partly attributed to driving uncompetitive cars. If that explanation holds true, this is his moment to prove he can still compete with top drivers like Leclerc, George Russell, and Lando Norris.
Despite the upgrades, Hamilton has played down expectations ahead of Miami, pointing out that Ferrari still trail Mercedes in engine performance. He emphasized that closing the gap will require significantly more development effort than their rivals—a difficult challenge given that all teams are improving at a similar pace under the current regulations.