Lewis Hamilton returned from a training run in Tokyo recently, drenched in sweat, and found some of his Formula 1 rivals just rolling out of bed. The contrast pleased him. “I know that none of the drivers I’m racing against have trained as hard as I have,” the 41-year-old said Thursday ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.

Hamilton has reason to feel emboldened. After a disastrous first season with Ferrari—zero wins, zero podiums, the seven-time champion written off as yesterday’s man—he finished third in China two weeks ago. The SF-26 is competitive. The sport’s sweeping 2026 regulations, with lighter cars and 50-50 hybrid power units, seem to suit him.

“I’ve not lost what I had,” Hamilton said. “Just not letting all the (words) coming out of people’s mouths get in the way of knowing actually who I am.”

The early returns suggest cautious optimism. Mercedes has won both races this season—George Russell and Kimi Antonelli taking one each—with Ferrari the closest challenger. Hamilton believes the SF-26 can fight for wins.

Not everyone shares his enthusiasm for the new “yo-yo racing,” where power ebbs and flows between cars. Four-time champion Max Verstappen has been particularly vocal in his dislike. Hamilton shrugs it off: “A lot of the drivers are not enjoying it, I’m just personally enjoying it.”

Whether confidence or self-belief, Hamilton has put last year’s misery behind him through sheer will. “One of the most important things is getting back up,” he said, “and that’s what I’ve done this year.”

Sources