Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton stated he “personally cherished” racing a 2026 automotive at Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix, describing the expertise as “superb” amid a storm of backlash from different drivers.
F1’s new laws have divided opinion amongst followers and drivers, with a number of celebrities slamming the vehicles over the Melbourne weekend.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has expressed doubts in regards to the 2026 laws, saying he nonetheless didn’t totally perceive them till lately after qualifying.
Nevertheless, his enthusiasm after the race contrasted with the views of many colleagues.
“Personally, I actually appreciated it,” Hamilton stated after ending fourth from seventh on the grid, climbing as much as third at one level.
“I believed the race was actually enjoyable to drive. I believed the automotive was actually enjoyable to drive. I used to be watching the vehicles in entrance of me and there have been some good battles backwards and forwards. To date it has been actually good.”
Requested in regards to the views of Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, who doubled down on their criticism of the automotive on Sunday, he stated:
“However once more, they’re all additional down the road and there is 20 vehicles in entrance, so it would look completely different. However from my standpoint, I believed it was nice.”
Hamilton: “We all know the place we have to enhance to battle for the rostrum”
Because the begin of the take a look at, Ferrari’s good begin has been attracting consideration, and Hamilton managed to get away, however earlier than he knew it, he had been narrowed down by George Russell.
In response to an interview, he stated, “We’re off to begin.” crash internet About his escape. “George, I don’t know if he was defending me or not, however I ended up going slightly broad in flip one, however then I used to be again within the combine and combating.
“Then I stored selecting up the tempo and attempting to study in regards to the automotive the entire time and in direction of the tip I had tempo. So if I did just a few extra laps I might have gotten Charles (Leclerc).”
“So it is a constructive factor and I do know the place to enhance for the subsequent race and I need to proceed to enhance in order that I can battle for the rostrum.”
Hamilton admitted the workforce nonetheless has work to do, however feels they’re nearly on par with Mercedes within the corners, solely shedding within the straights.
“We now have to maintain pushing, we have now to maintain bringing upgrades and growing. The workforce is working arduous on that,” he stated.
“We now have to see the place we’re shedding, however I feel it’s the straights, as a result of we’re as quick as they (Mercedes) via the corners.
“So the automotive is sweet, we simply want one thing by way of straight-line velocity. In order that’s one thing we have to determine and I’ve no doubts that we’ll obtain it.”
