Lewis Hamilton is delighted to see the ground effect cars bow out of Formula 1, and Carlos Sainz could not agree more.<\/p>\n
Both drivers have experienced difficulties at times when trying to deliver their best form at the wheel of these cars. With new regulations coming for F1 2026, neither Hamilton<\/a> nor Sainz will miss the ground effect cars. Nico Hulkenberg, though, does not think it was all bad.<\/p>\n Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz welcome exit of ground effect F1 cars<\/p>\n Formula 1 ushered in the return of ground effect cars in time for the 2022 season. After four years of service, the rulebook will be changed again for F1 2026, both on the chassis and engine sides of the equation.<\/p>\n The sweeping alterations will see a marked reduction in the utilisation of ground effect aerodynamics, and Hamilton could not be happier.<\/p>\n The seven-time World Champion failed to challenge for further titles throughout the latest regulatory era.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is not a single thing I will miss about these cars,\u201d he declared when speaking to PlanetF1.com and other accredited media in Abu Dhabi.<\/p>\n \u201cLiterally, there\u2019s nothing. I haven\u2019t enjoyed it.\u201d<\/p>\n Hamilton stuck to his stance which he had first made clear at the prior round in Qatar.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we\u2019re all excited to see the back end of these ones for sure,\u201d he had said.<\/p>\n He quickly found an ally on that statement in the form of Sainz, the driver who Hamilton replaced at Ferrari for F1 2025.<\/p>\n Sainz reflected on his own difficulties to gel with the ground effect cars when they were initially introduced, and hopes that from F1 2026, he can drive that car more naturally.<\/p>\n \u201cSame,\u201d he stated in agreement with Hamilton. \u201cI had a struggle with them in 2022 adapting to this generation, and I\u2019ve had a bit more success later on adapting to it, but it\u2019s not in my nature to drive these cars the way I have to drive them.<\/p>\n \u201cI actually had to relearn a couple of different skills that I didn\u2019t know I would need to drive a Formula 1 car. And I\u2019m glad it\u2019s over, and hopefully next year I can go back to a more natural driving style.\u201d<\/p>\n More on F1 2026 from PlanetF1.com<\/p>\n Gallery: FOM and FIA unveil all-new renders of F1 2026 machinery<\/a><\/p>\n Wolff makes \u2018fascinating\u2019 prediction after watching Mercedes\u2019 F1 2026 challenger<\/a><\/p>\n Hamilton did not speak for everyone, though.<\/p>\n Sauber\u2019s Nico Hulkenberg \u2013 who stays into 2026 for the Audi F1 transition \u2013 was more balanced with his view on the departing cars.<\/p>\n \u201cI think a bit more neutral for me. I don\u2019t mind it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI think just the following, particularly this year, has really become very, very bad.<\/p>\n \u201cBut otherwise, I mean, a bit heavy, yes, but in quali, they\u2019re pretty quick. So, I don\u2019t mind it.\u201d<\/p>\n The cars are set to become smaller and 30 kilograms lighter in F1 2026, while the Drag Reduction System [DRS] will be replaced by active aerodynamics on the front and rear wings.<\/p>\n The engines meanwhile will move to a 50\/50 split between electrical power and an internal combustion engine running on fully sustainable biofuel.<\/p>\n Want to be the first to know exclusive information from the F1 paddock? Join our broadcast channel on WhatsApp<\/a> to get the scoop on the latest developments from our team of accredited journalists.<\/p>\n You can also subscribe to the PlanetF1 YouTube channel<\/a> for exclusive features, hear from our paddock journalists with stories from the heart of Formula 1 and much more!<\/p>\n