Lewis Hamilton backs championship experience in Ferrari title fight
Lewis Hamilton believes his vast experience will prove decisive in the 2026 Formula 1 title battle after claiming his first victory for Ferrari to close the gap on championship leader Kimi Antonelli.
The seven-time world champion triumphed at the recent Spanish Grand Prix, ending a six-race winning streak for Mercedes at the start of the season.
That landmark victory in Barcelona reduced the deficit at the top of the drivers’ standings to 41 points.
Focus firmly on Austrian Grand Prix
With momentum building ahead of this weekend’s race in Spielberg, the 41-year-old remains grounded about the prospect of a record eighth world crown.
“In terms of the championship, I’m not letting that stuff… I’ve been here before, I know what I have to do.”
“There’s a long way to go. We’re not arriving at this weekend thinking about the championship. We’re thinking about this weekend, executing the best we can.”
Engine upgrades to close the gap
The Scuderia are introducing their first major power unit upgrade of the 2026 campaign in Austria.
This development aims to bridge the performance deficit to both Red Bull and Mercedes.
“This weekend we do have a new engine. It’s a step, it’s not the whole gap, but it’s a step, it’s one foot forwards, which I’m really proud and thankful for.”
Despite the boost, the British driver concedes his former employers remain the benchmark.
“Still Mercedes are the team to beat, they’ve won everything else and they’ve been just incredible this year. They’ve got a great car, it’s an amazing team – a world championship team.”
“We have a real battle on our hands and it’s going to take absolutely everyone full hands-on deck for the rest of the year to even come close to competing with them, but I don’t think it’s impossible.”
A surprising reception from rivals
The breakthrough win in Spain followed a difficult debut season with the Italian marque, where the sport’s most successful driver failed to secure a single podium finish.
Following the introduction of sweeping new technical regulations for 2026, the veteran racer has enjoyed a resurgence, securing consecutive runner-up spots before his recent triumph.
Reflecting on the milestone victory, he admitted to being caught off guard by the exceptionally warm reception from his fellow competitors on the grid.
