Lewis Hamilton says the trend is for him to get \u201cfaster and faster\u201d throughout a race as he gains confidence in a driving style which still feels \u201calien\u201d.<\/p>\n
Hamilton<\/a> has now contested 16 grands prix as a Ferrari driver, yet the seven-time World Champion still has not been able to fully adapt to the best driving style for the SF-25. As such, he hopes the new regulations for F1 2026 will allow him to drive the upcoming Ferrari how he wants to.<\/p>\n Lewis Hamilton still struggling with \u2018alien driving style\u2019 at Ferrari<\/p>\n After an alarming mid-season slump, Hamilton has shown signs that he is getting his Ferrari career back on track in recent times. While his Dutch Grand Prix ended in the wall, Hamilton was back on the pace of team-mate Charles Leclerc, a trend which continued into the Italian Grand Prix, Ferrari\u2019s home race, where Hamilton finished sixth.<\/p>\n But, while progress has been made, Hamilton admitted that he is \u201cstill not 100 per cent comfortable with the car.\u201d<\/p>\n Speaking with PlanetF1.com\u2019s Thomas Maher and other media outlets, he added: \u201cUltimately, that\u2019s driving kind of an alien driving style, with a car that I\u2019m not 100 per cent comfortable with.\u201d<\/p>\n Nonetheless, Hamilton admits that: \u201cWe obviously don\u2019t have the pace of the cars much further ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n Hamilton called time on his record-breaking Mercedes career to join Ferrari upon turning 40. After 12 seasons with Mercedes, and an unmatched F1 career with Mercedes power alone, it was a huge leap of faith for Hamilton to make.<\/p>\n Falling in line with what makes the Ferrari SF-25 tick on any given weekend remains a challenge.<\/p>\n \u201cI think what\u2019s clear for me is that, look, I know I\u2019ve been driving this car all year long, but in my previous years, I was a part of a car that you\u2019re evolving over time,\u201d Hamilton reasoned.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re comfortable with it, and know the driving style inside and out. This year I\u2019m arriving at the track and having to apply this new driving style that\u2019s still alien to me. It doesn\u2019t feel natural.<\/p>\n \u201cTo a car, that\u2019s how it likes to work, so through the race, I\u2019m just getting better and better and faster and faster, and unlocking with that a gain of confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n More key talking points following the 2025 Italian GP<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49 Italian GP driver ratings: Max Verstappen produces Monza masterclass<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49 The Italian Grand Prix proves race duration isn\u2019t the key to making F1 exciting<\/a><\/p>\n As such, looking ahead to F1 2026, Hamilton hopes for change.<\/p>\n Very few stones will be left unturned with the new ruleset coming for next season. The cars are to become smaller and 30kg lighter, while they will embrace active aerodynamics on the front and rear wings, spelling the end for the Drag Reduction System [DRS]. The Pirelli tyres meanwhile will become 25 millimeters narrower at the front and 30mm at the rear.<\/p>\n As for the engines, there will be a significant increase in electrical power, while the internal combustion engine will run on fully sustainable biofuel.<\/p>\n \u201cHopefully next year it\u2019s not a driving style that\u2019s here,\u201d Hamilton wishes, \u201cso hopefully, I can go back a little bit towards what I would choose to do.\u201d<\/p>\n Hamilton sits P6 in the F1 2025 Drivers\u2019 Championship standings<\/a>, a position and 46 points behind Leclerc.<\/p>\n