Lewis Hamilton says he feels 'more connected' to Ferrari's 2026 car after a difficult first season with the Italian team. The seven-time world champion endured his first winless campaign since 2006, finishing without a podium in 2025. Hamilton's comments come as Ferrari shows promise during pre-season testing in Bahrain, establishing themselves as early favorites.

Hamilton attributed his renewed optimism to being involved in developing the new car rather than inheriting last year's design. 'This is a car that I've been able to be a part of developing on the simulator, and so a bit of my DNA is within,' he explained. The British driver spent the off-season rebuilding both physically and mentally, rearranging his team structure to create what he calls 'the best place I've been in a long time.'

Despite finishing fourth in the 2025 Constructors' Championship, Hamilton maintains '100 per cent faith' in Ferrari's ability to compete. He acknowledged that transforming the team wouldn't happen overnight when he signed his longer contract. With new power units and chassis regulations resetting the competitive landscape, Hamilton believes the team has learned valuable lessons and is working 'better together than ever before' heading into the 2026 season that begins with the Australian Grand Prix in March.