Hamilton delivers Ferrari engine upgrade verdict: We have what it takes to win
Photo: Race Pictures
Updated: 11:39, 04 Sep
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Henry Eccles is a freelance Formula 1 journalist for GPblog, covering breaking news, live race blogs, and features across the F1 calendar. Since joining in 2026, he has produced high-volume reporting on the sport’s biggest stories, alongside feature pieces including analysis and historical content.
Lewis Hamilton has shared his delight that Ferrari finally have a "North Star" with regard to their 2026 development, believing the Scuderia have delivered a "step forward" with upgrades to their power unit at this weekend's Italian GP.
Availing of the engine upgrades granted to them by the FIA's Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO), Ferrari bring their second update to their home race at Monza, hoping it can help them cut the 87-point deficit to Constructors' leaders Mercedes.
Adding to hopes of a Ferrari victory in front of the Tifosi is the fact Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli will start at the back of the grid for Sunday's race, although the 20-year-old has warned rivals that the W17 remains a "very strong car" despite a lack of recent upgrades.
Speaking on what he can expect from Ferrari's latest upgrades this weekend, Hamilton told GPblog and others: "Every little helps. And I think, you know, up until this point of the year, we’ve been losing, even in the last race on such a short circuit, we were losing four tenths a lap through the race. So that’s a huge deficit and we’ve carried that through the year to this point."
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Hamilton: We have what it takes to win
Photo: Race Pictures
With Ferrari down on straight-line speed compared to Mercedes so far, Hamilton is hopeful of a strong second half of the season, having already secured five podiums, including a maiden Ferrari win in Barcelona, during the 2026 season.
Comparing a torrid debut campaign in 2025 to a revival this season, which has also seen Ferrari pursue an aggressive development strategy, Hamilton added: "What I can say is I’m just really, really proud of when I go back to the factory and I see how hard everyone is working, that they’re really just heads down. Everyone’s so enthusiastic.
"I see a different focus this year to last year. Last year, I felt like there wasn’t really a North Star. We were kind of, I think, doing the best we could, but not really knowing where exactly we’re trying to aim for. And now we have a North Star. We know we need to work towards. And I think they’ve done a tremendous job to really pull together and deliver.
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However, the seven-time world champion warned that more change is needed at Ferrari in order to fully close the gap with Mercedes, but does believe the team have what it takes to win more races in 2026.
"This is a step forward," he said. "It’s not the whole gap that we need, but we knew that would be the case. But to see bits coming each weekend, adding to the car, it’s exciting to see that we are pushing and, you know, strongly still believe that we’ve got what it takes to win."
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Italian Grand Prix
Overview
Friday 04.09.26
Practice 1
10:30 AM
Practice 2
02:00 PM
Saturday 05.09.26
Practice 3
10:30 AM
Qualification
02:00 PM
Sunday 06.09.26
Race
01:00 PM
Friday 04.09.26
Practice 1
Fri 10:30 AM
Practice 2
Fri 02:00 PM
Saturday 05.09.26
Practice 3
Sat 10:30 AM
Qualification
Sat 02:00 PM
Sunday 06.09.26
Race
Sun 01:00 PM
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F1-stand 2026
Season
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | MercedesMER | 242 | |
2 | MercedesMER | 183 | |
3 | FerrariFER | 183 | |
4 | McLarenMCL | 159 | |
5 | FerrariFER | 155 | |
6 | Red Bull RacingRBR | 112 | |
7 | McLarenMCL | 104 | |
8 | Red Bull RacingRBR | 68 | |
9 | Racing BullsRCB | 49 | |
10 | AlpineALP | 44 |
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