Hamilton lays out 'different' plan to beat Leclerc after bruising 2025 battle

The seven-time world champion’s first season alongside the Monegasque did not go as hoped, as he ended the year 86 points behind his teammate. He also failed to score a single podium, while Leclerc claimed seven and secured one more pole position.

Asked by Corriere della Sera how he plans to bounce back this year, Hamilton chose to shift the focus onto the team as a whole, while still praising the Monegasque’s outstanding qualities.

He finally added: “For the past 14 months I’ve been working on the 2026 car, both in the simulator and with the engineers. Unlike the previous one, which I found already designed and where I could change very little, this car carries a bit of my DNA — and that really excites me.”

Hamilton will be one of the main attractions at the first FIA press conference of the season in Melbourne. The opening group will feature George Russell, Nico Hulkenberg and Valtteri Bottas speaking to the media. The second group will then take centre stage, with the Brit joined by local hero Oscar Piastri and Arvid Lindblad. The rest of the drivers will instead take part in the usual media sessions in the paddock, where GPblog will also be present.

Attention will then turn to the team principals’ press conference, scheduled between FP1 and FP2. Adrian Newey, Toto Wolff and Graeme Lowdon will represent their respective teams in the first session.